National Year of Reading Roundup

This year's National Year of Reading has begun with government backing for for books and school libraries, author and storytelling events around the country, and a fresh look at how to encourage reading for pleasure among children and teenagers.

Each month ReadingZone will share the latest news and research, point you towards author events and festivals, and shine a light on what we can all do to help children and teenagers grow as readers.

This month, we focus encouraging shared reading at home, with expert Alison David (HarperCollins), and on advocacy for school libraries to ensure their work in creating readers is recognised within the school environment.

Encouraging Reading for Pleasure at home

Alison David, consumer insight director at HarperCollins Children's Books, gives an insight into the importance of sharing books with children at home, including the longer term impact that shared reading can have in supporting children's learning and life chances.  

Reading Suggestions

ReadingZone's monthly age-ranged highlights include extracts, author videos and reviews, to support teachers and families in finding the best books for their children; these can be requested from local libraries.

Celebrating school libraries

At the start of the National Year of Reading, the government announced significant funding to support the Library for Primaries campaign - ensuring that every primary school will have a school library - and ring-fenced funding for books for secondary schools.

The role of school librarians in encouraging children as readers can't be understated, but how should school librarians quantify that impact, and ensure that school leadership recognises the value of their work? ReadingZone spoke with library consultant and trainer Barbara Band about advocacy for school libraries.

National Year of Reading CPD support

'Unlocking Reading' training events for secondary schools: Find out more about free CPD supported by the Department for Education

The National Literacy Trust is running a number of webinars to guide schools through reading for pleasure during the National Year of Reading, including Early Years, Primary and Secondary webinars, as well as a National Year of Reading toolkit to download.

 

Calendar highlights

Storytelling Week, Saturday 31 January - Sunday 8th February -

Storytelling Workshops:  The National Literacy Trust is also offering a range of free Storytelling workshops on Tuesday 3 February across Early Years, Primary and Secondary to support storytelling in schools. These include Early Years storytime videos with poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko; Ages 5 to 7: Building stories through sound with Annemarie Anang; Ages 7 to 11: Exploring stories through rap and rhythm with Alim Kamara; Ages 11 to 14: Uncovering how music and lyrics tell stories that matter with Jeffrey Boakye

Phoenix Comic Fest 2026 in Oxford this April - Tickets for this super-popular comics festival, including author events and workshops to create comics, go on sale from 10th February; they run out very quickly!

Stepping Into Stories children's literature festival in Herne Hill, London, 3-8 February  

World Book Day 5th March

....Look out for updates to come