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We've had a great time working with Brent Council on a project exploring how artist-led creative storytelling can help bring the benefits of early years reading to children under two. The project, funded by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social, found that creative storytelling has some real potential👇

A pink and yellow graphic with a photo of a baby reaching for some colourful ribbons. Text says: 5 ways artist-led storytelling can enhance story and rhyme sessions.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 05/10/2026

"Books bring us together" 🩵 As Kinship Care Week kicks off, we're sharing our short film Stories That Connect Us, based on real conversations with children in adoption, foster care or kinship care. It captures some beautiful moments between families, showing just how powerful sharing books can be.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 04/10/2026

New children's books we love 😍 Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in October... bit.ly/487zIVT

Books we love in October, with a colourful collage of 31 children's book covers

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 04/10/2026

Our research shows that children are more likely to become independent readers when they experience reading with and are inspired by multiple people or ‘reading influencers’ from the earliest moments in childhood. Find out more: bit.ly/4pP6FN6

In 37% of families, children aged 0-7 experience regular reading with their grandparents.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 01/10/2026

📚 NEW: Our #GreatBooksGuide 2026-27! Explore 100 recommendations from the past year for primary school children, covering a range of age ranges, accessibility levels, formats and genres. A physical copy of the guide is being sent to primary schools, take a look online⤵️ bit.ly/4hl3Di2

BookTrust's Great Books Guide 2026-27 is here!

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 30/09/2026

📢 Let’s make early years reading a long-term national priority for Wales…

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 26/09/2026

What a story time we had yesterday - with none other than Dame Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, and the Gruffalo! 💫 It was a joy to join children in Bath for this very special event, made possible thanks to our partnership with Macmillan Children's Books. Find out more: bit.ly/3Vc7ghE

Julia and Axel at the Gruffalo Granny event at Bath Central Library

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 25/09/2026

We've worked with Wandle English Hub to create Sharing Stories at Home, new resources helping teachers to host engaging and practical workshops about shared reading for families in Reception. Here's Matthew Courtney from Wandle English Hub to explain how we went about it! 👉 bit.ly/4cWz7IC

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 23/09/2026

We're so grateful for all the work @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social has done as part of the Reading Rights campaign to make reading a universal part of childhood, not an invisible privilege. We just had to share this wonderful clip to celebrate his birthday today. Happy Birthday Frank! 🎂

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 22/09/2026

🚨 Don't miss out on our #BookTrustRepresents Spread the Story competition! Here's what it meant to Jessica and her school to win last year's competition - all made possible thanks to the incredible support of Enterprise Mobility™. Find out about this year's competition: bit.ly/4xEkocY

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 21/09/2026

Exciting news! We’re extending registration for #Bookbuzz Primary until December 🎉 In the #NationalYearOfReading2026, we wanted to give even more Key Stage 2 children the chance to choose a fantastic book from our curated selection. Find out more about Bookbuzz Primary 👇 bit.ly/3V0EFf1

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 17/09/2026

Did you know that 58% of children in the UK don’t have a bedtime story? 📚 But by remembering BookTrust in your will, you can help ensure that future children and families benefit from the life-changing power of stories. Find out more here: bit.ly/3TAUAjP

An image of a cute young child looking directly at the camera while holding on to boxes of books, plus the words: "Create a brighter future for a child with a gift in your will"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 16/09/2026

📚 We know the transition to school is a critical time for reading enjoyment. Our Sharing Stories at Home workshops for families - created in partnership with Wandle English Hub - are now available, helping you to support reading for pleasure among your newest pupils 👇 bit.ly/4xVS7zx

A photo of two primary school children in the library, with a quote from Matthew Courtney, Strategic Lead of Wandle English Hub and Director of Wandle Learning Partnership.

“At the very point when children’s reading enjoyment begins to decline, access to books is uneven. This makes the role of the school especially important - both in providing access to a rich range of texts and in shaping the kinds of reading experiences that help children develop a lasting connection with reading.”

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 15/09/2026

Giving children choice when it comes to books is really important for building reading enjoyment 📚 But how can you bring book choice into the classroom? Here are 10 ideas 👇

A box reading "10 top tips for supporting book choice in the classroom" plus illustrations of rainbows and a stack of books

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 14/09/2026

#BookTrustRepresents is back for another school year and we couldn't be more excited! We'll be bringing these absolutely amazing authors direct to your classroom with our virtual author workshops - and it's totally free to sign up. Take a look: bit.ly/3Vs35y7

This year's free virtual author workshops for schools with BookTrust Represents. Photos of six authors and their book covers - Love Ssega, Kengo Kurimoto, Lui Sit, Isaac Hamilton-McKenzie, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Luan Goldie.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 11/09/2026

Choosing an amazing book to take home and keep? Easy. Waiting to get your hands on it? Nail biting stuff! #Bookbuzz Secondary makes it easy for your Year 7 & 8 students to get excited about reading. Find out more and get your school involved: bit.ly/4yzfTkN

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 10/09/2026

It's #GruffaloGranny publication day! 🎉 We're sending a huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Books for teaming up with us to send 40,000 Gruffalo books to families through libraries across the country this year, including Gruffalo Granny.

The front cover of Gruffalo Granny and the words: "40,000: The number of Gruffalo books we're sending to families through libraries across the country, thanks to a generous donation from Macmillan Children's Books"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 09/09/2026

We know teachers are busy - especially as they head back to school. So we set ourselves a challenge. Could we introduce you to all of the #Bookbuzz Primary books in 60 seconds? Watch the video to see if George manages it 😂

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 09/09/2026

It's Teddy Bear Day 🧸 and we can't stop thinking about these gorgeous 'Reading Buddy' bears! Thanks to our partnership with Build-A-Bear Foundation, BookTrust was able to deliver 1,032 Reading Buddy bears to nursery children to encourage families to enjoy books together. And there's more...

A graphic with a photo of a toddler smiling excitedly while hugging a teddy bear. A quote from Izzy Martin, Early Years Librarian at Hertfordshire Libraries, says: "Seeing the children’s faces light up as they came into the library and chose their Reading Buddy bear will stay with me for a long time."

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

The Sharing Stories at Home resources include: - A workshop template 📋 - Guidance for you ✏️ - Information for parents and carers 💡 - Videos with families 📺 Find them all here: bit.ly/4cBwoUW

A photo of a man and a woman in a school classroom looking at books together, plus the logos for BookTrust, Wandle English Hub and Wandle Learning Trust. And the words: "Discover your free Sharing Stories at Home resources today"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

We're here to help! We've teamed up with Wandle English Hub to create Sharing Stories at Home - free resources developed with schools and families to make sure they are rooted in their real experiences. 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Starting school brings new routines and a chance to build early relationships with parents and carers and strengthen connections between home and school. This creates an opportunity to embed shared reading from the start. But how can you get started? 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Support can act as an equaliser. Families don't all start from the same place. Differences in time, confidence and access to books shape how easy it is to maintain shared reading at home. Accessible, practical and reassuring support can help level children’s reading experiences. 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Families are really open to support at this time. Most families continue to value reading, and 64% of parents and carers of 5-year-olds say they want more support to help their child spend time with books and stories. 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Lots of things are changing for children and families at this time. Reading experiences shift, routines come under pressure, and different types of reading need to be balanced. But this is also a moment of opportunity... 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

BookTrust research shows that reading enjoyment drops between ages 4 and 5 - at the same time as children are starting school. So the time when children are in Reception is a really key moment for encouraging reading enjoyment. But why could this decline be happening? 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 08/09/2026

📢 NEW! We're delighted to have teamed up with Wandle English Hub to create Sharing Stories at Home - brand new, free resources for schools to support families to enjoy reading together for pleasure as their children start school! But why is this important? 👇

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 07/09/2026

📣 Competition time... We're asking children in Years 3 to 8 to tell us who they most want to share a story with and how they would like to share it. Find out about our #BookTrustRepresents Spread the Story Competition, with over £3,000 of prizes to be won! bit.ly/4xN1KjS

Over £3000 of book prizes to be won! Enter our Spread the Story competition.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 06/09/2026

Books we love this month🤩 Take a look at our reviews and let us know which you'd love to read for National Read a Book Day today! bit.ly/4gHwsDG

Books we love in September, with a colourful collage of 29 children's book covers

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 04/09/2026

@frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social said: "The joy of sharing a book together is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child. It was a privilege to share with Her Majesty The Queen how communities are working together to put books and stories at the heart of children's lives.”

Frank Cottrell-Boyce with Her Majesty the Queen unveiling a plaque at Spellow Library in Liverpool

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 04/09/2026

📣 Her Majesty The Queen, BookTrust’s Patron, visited Spellow Library today, joining families, community partners, @lpoolcouncil.bsky.social and BookTrust #ReadingRights Ambassador @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social to hear about the life-changing benefits of reading and the vital role libraries play.

Her Majesty the Queen with Frank Cottrell-Boyce at Spellow Library

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 02/09/2026

It's back to school season... have you signed up your Year 7/8s for #Bookbuzz Secondary yet? We're delighted that People Like Stars is included - one of the brilliant books by our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social! Find out more and sign up: bit.ly/3SftZbB

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 01/09/2026

📢 Exciting news alert! We're thrilled to share that the wonderful Lucy Rowland is our brand new Writer in Residence! Over the next six months, Lucy will be exploring the link between shared reading and speech, language, and communication skills. We're delighted to welcome Lucy aboard!

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 29/08/2026

We've loved having Tom Percival as our Writer in Residence for the last six months! Here, he reflects on his time in the role - and, most importantly, chooses the incredibly creative winners of his drawing competition 👇 bit.ly/3UwiUDy

Tom Percival smiling in front of bookshelves and the three winners of his drawing competition - including a yellow and black horned creature with a bat-like creature perched on its head; a cat looking concerned; and a drawing of a person using mixed materials

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 28/08/2026

Books + bears = joy! Thanks to our partnership with the wonderful Build-A-Bear Foundation, last year we were able to put 1,032 'Reading Buddy' bears into the hands of nursery children. Watch to see how families reacted 🐻

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 27/08/2026

How can more families feel confident in sharing books with their babies? In Barnsley, we're working with Barnsley Council, health visiting teams and community partners to explore this as part of the #ReadingRights campaign with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social. Find out more: bit.ly/4gT2JZF

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 26/08/2026

As the new school year kicks off, are you looking for ways to encourage your Year 7/8s to read for pleasure? Download our handy free guide to discover the latest research, practical tips for your classroom, and book ideas! 👇 bit.ly/4gkWiNL

A teacher smiling with her hand over her mouth as a group of students sit around her in their school library looking at books, plus the words: "How can you engage students in reading for pleasure in Key Stage 3?"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 26/08/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dolly Parton. Dolly was a remarkable champion for children's reading, dedicated to helping more children access books and experience the joy of stories.

Dolly Parton reading to a group of children in the Library of Congress. Photo: Shawn Miller., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 25/08/2026

"I just want to read all of them!" We visited Ronald Ross Primary School to find out the difference #Bookbuzz Primary is making to pupils. Get your pupils excited about reading for pleasure with expertly curated books and resources for Key Stage 2: bit.ly/3Uf548B

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 24/08/2026

In our recent webinar, @mattcourtney.bsky.social from Wandle English Hub shared strategies to support families with reading as children start school. Find out why starting school is such a critical moment for reading enjoyment in our new evidence-informed guide. bit.ly/4gIsPys

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 23/08/2026

"It’s all about being welcoming and making the person who brings their child into the library feel comfortable.” It's nearly time for #BookTrustStorytime to return! Find out how one library has used the resources to support families in their community 👇 bit.ly/4giM5RI

A photo of three women, a baby, and a young girl laughing as they look at a book together plus a quote from Jacqueline Condit at Glengormley Library: "People may not have been in the library for about ten years, and now they're borrowing books for their family"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 21/08/2026

Are you looking for support to build reading for pleasure in your school as the new term begins? 📚 We've put together a free guide with top tips for encouraging book choice, practical strategies for creating sociable reading experiences, and book ideas! Get your guide 👇 bit.ly/4zo1IAc

A photo of two girls in school uniform sitting at a school desk reading and smiling, plus a box reading: "How can you support reading for pleasure in Key Stage 2?" and a rainbow-style graphic

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 20/08/2026

The transition into school is a time when many parents and carers are open to guidance, so it's the perfect time for schools to support families’ confidence in sharing stories. Explore practical tips to achieve this, backed by our latest research: bit.ly/4gDins6

A graphic with text that says 64% of parents and carers of 5-year-olds say they would like more information and support to help their child spend more time with books and stories.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 19/08/2026

How can community storytelling help boost people’s confidence in sharing books? We're collaborating with Knowsley Council and local families to explore this as part of our #ReadingRights campaign with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social. Read the full story: bit.ly/4ghd1RY

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 18/08/2026

"I don't have to worry about bringing it back" #Bookbuzz Secondary gives students the chance to choose and keep a book they’ll love from 16 diverse and inclusive titles, newly selected each year by our expert panel of librarians and teachers. Find out more: bit.ly/3S0KMiu

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 17/08/2026

It's never too early to start sharing stories 📚 From babies to children in their early years and all the way through to teens, reading brings profound benefits that can have a lifelong impact on children’s lives. Learn more about the benefits of reading: bit.ly/461Xroy

An infographic showing the benefits of reading as children grow.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 15/08/2026

"I’m going to come out with a bold statement. There is no such thing as a bad book." Our Writer in Residence Tom Percival is making his case - but do you agree? Find his full argument - including thoughts on the importance of choice - right here 👇 bit.ly/4zgDms7

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 14/08/2026

"Every child deserves a childhood, no matter where they sleep at night" We're proud to be working with libraries and family hub partners in Birmingham as part of our #ReadingRights campaign – helping families living in temporary accommodation to access reading support 💙 bit.ly/4hzccX8

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 13/08/2026

Sociable reading experiences are really powerful for children! 👉 It helps them feel part of something 👉 Seeing other children enjoying reading shows it matters 👉 Experiencing shared feelings ties reading to connection, empathy and joy 📺 Watch our webinar to find out more: bit.ly/45POrmm

A photo of three primary school children sitting around a table talking and looking at books and a colourful box featuring the words: "What impact do sociable reading experiences have on children?" Plus a rainbow style graphic in the background

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 12/08/2026

It's #InternationalYouthDay! But did you know reading can help children overcome inequalities before they deepen? Every child deserves the chance to enjoy reading and its lifelong benefits. Read our Impact Report to find out how we're working to make this happen: bit.ly/4qalieS

A graphic showing three secondary school children discussing a pile of books on the table. Text says Every child deserves the chance to enjoy reading and all the lifelong benefits it brings.

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