In July this year, the Government and the Department for Education announced that 2026 will be celebrated as the National Year of Reading, a country-wide initiative to encourage both children and adults across the UK to read for pleasure, as the current trend of young people enjoying reading is at a record low. The campaign is being run in collaboration with the charity, the National Literacy Trust, alongside support from publishers and organisations throughout the UK.
Why is the National Year of Reading Happening?
In recent years, there has been a noticeable and worrying decline in the number of children who read for pleasure. According to a 2025 report from the National Literacy Trust, only 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time, and 1 in 4 said they didn’t enjoy reading at all.
This matters because reading for pleasure isn’t just about enjoying stories; it has a direct impact on a child’s academic success, mental well-being, and future opportunities. Children who read frequently tend to perform better across all subjects, not just English, as reading builds vocabulary, concentration, and critical thinking. It also provides an important outlet for relaxation, imagination, and empathy.
This decline is particularly prevalent among children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, who are disproportionately affected. An additional report from the Department of Education from July revealed that individuals who were confident readers and writers by the end of Key Stage 2 could go on to earn, on average, £65,000 more over their lifetime.
The National Year of Reading also aims to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) by ensuring they have access to engaging and accessible reading materials, giving every child the same opportunity to discover the joy of reading.
Who’s Taking Part?
The National Year of Reading is a truly collaborative initiative, bringing together publishers, charities, cultural organisations, and even sporting bodies to inspire a nationwide celebration of books and stories.
Publishers, large and small, are playing a key role. Household names such as Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Oxford University Press, and Nosy Crow are contributing by donating books, curating themed collections, and supporting schools with teaching resources. Independent publishers are also involved, ensuring that children have access to diverse voices and fresh perspectives that reflect the world around them.
Beyond the publishing industry, other organisations and charities such as The Premier League, The Reading Agency, and World Book Day are offering free resources, workshops and author events.
Schools, libraries, and community groups have been encouraged to run their own events to encourage a joy of reading.
You can check out all of the organisations involved on the National Year of Reading website.
What Are Schools Doing?
Although reading is already a central part of the primary curriculum, studies show that reading for pleasure tends to decline as children transition into secondary school, particularly among boys.
To combat this, the government is investing £27.7 million into schools to improve the teaching of reading and writing, and to provide extra support for struggling readers. The funding will help schools create more inviting reading spaces within classrooms and libraries, expand their book collections to include a greater variety of genres, from graphic novels and poetry to contemporary fiction and culturally diverse stories, and ensure that every child can find something that resonates with them.
The funding will also be used to better equip and train teachers, enabling them to support children who may be at risk of falling behind, and to offer strategies that encourage reluctant readers.
How Can Parents Support Their Children?
Reading is a critical skill, and parents play a vital role in nurturing it, no matter their child’s current reading level. For younger children, this might mean reading aloud regularly or offering a small selection of books they can explore on their own.
Older children, who can be more difficult to encourage, may benefit from high-interest reading options such as graphic novels, comics, audiobooks, and non-fiction titles linked to their hobbies. Young Adult (YA) books are particularly beneficial for teenagers, as they are written to resonate with them, helping to reignite an interest in reading whilst still providing a challenge.
Libraries are another fantastic and affordable resource. A library card gives your child access to thousands of books completely free, and many libraries now host reading challenges, story times, and clubs that make reading fun and social. Apps like Libby also allow families to borrow digital books or audiobooks from their local library at no cost, perfect for children who prefer to read on a tablet or listen on the go.
How is BookLife supporting the National Year of Reading?
To celebrate and support this exciting national initiative, BookLife has created a dedicated collection of Reading for Pleasure book packs, featuring a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, alongside accessible formats for SEND children and reluctant readers, including Hi-Lo books.
You can explore our full range of Reading for Pleasure book packs here, or find them at the beginning of our latest digital catalogue.
