The National Year of Reading 2026 is a unique campaign designed to inspire a greater love of reading across the UK. With the exciting theme ‘Go All In’, this year-long initiative aims to encourage both children and adults to discover the joy of books, stories, comics, magazines, websites, and even audiobooks. What is the National Year of Reading 2026? This special year is about making reading enjoyable for everyone. Throughout 2026, schools, libraries, and community groups are hosting a variety of events and challenges, helping everyone to explore the different types of reading material available and find something they truly love. Exploring Where and What We Read It’s important for students to think about where they can find reading materials. Libraries, whether local or within schools, play a key role. But reading can happen anywhere – at home, outdoors, or even while traveling. Reflecting on places you read helps build lasting reading habits and can make stories come alive. Another classroom discussion point is the variety of reading materials people enjoy every day: books, magazines, comics, and online resources. Sharing reading preferences and habits is a great way to inspire others to try something new. The Importance of Reading in Today’s World The National Year of Reading campaign began in response to a decline in reading rates. Does this trend surprise you? Classroom discussion might involve sharing whether reading is something students enjoy, and whether they know about any local events related to the campaign. Watching videos about the ‘Go All In’ theme and reflecting on the campaign’s slogan can add extra engagement and understanding. Looking to the future, students are encouraged to consider whether reading will become more or less important, and what role it might play as the world changes. Diving into Different Genres One key aim of the campaign is to help everyone find the type of reading that suits them best. Exploring genres—such as adventure, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction—introduces readers to new ideas and perspectives. Discussing what draws someone to a particular genre and what each genre offers can deepen appreciation and curiosity about reading itself. Class activities might include matching genres to what they help us learn, thinking about the skills or knowledge gained from different types of stories, and reflecting on individual reading habits. Which genres do you enjoy most? Are there any you rarely choose, and what might you discover by trying something new? Sharing Favourite Books and Places to Read Sharing favourite books as a class can be a wonderful way to build a reading community. Students often find new recommendations or learn about stories they haven’t encountered before. Beyond what we read, where we read can be just as significant. Memorable reading places can enhance enjoyment—whether it’s at home, in the classroom, outdoors, or even in imaginative locations like space or underwater! Reflecting on how different environments affect focus, imagination, and the overall reading experience helps students understand their own preferences. Some people delight in reading alone, while others enjoy sharing the experience. Considering which approach works best and why can foster discussion around building positive, enjoyable reading routines. Classroom Activities and Follow-up Ideas Option 1: Mystery Book Clues Challenge students to create clues for a ‘mystery pick’ book club. Select a book, describe its genre, and hint at what someone might learn from it—without giving away the title or key plot points. This helps classmates discover new books and genres they might not otherwise choose. Option 2: Library Scavenger Hunt Organize a library or classroom scavenger hunt. Write clues to lead students to specific books, such as one featuring a castle, an animal on the cover, or set in another country. Swapping hunt cards adds an element of surprise. Students can also visit the library to select a new book, reflecting on their choices and preferences. Option 3: Reading Place Survey Survey classmates and staff about their favourite reading spots—at home, in school, outside, or elsewhere. Compare the results and reflect on new possibilities for enjoyable reading locations. The Benefits of Reading and Staying Curious Reading offers many benefits beyond enjoyment, such as relaxation, developing imagination, and fostering empathy. By exploring a diverse range of genres, students remain curious and learn more about the world and themselves. Reading helps us see from different perspectives and opens doors to new ideas and possibilities. Reflection: Making Reading Part of Everyday Life Finding enjoyable places and styles of reading helps make reading a natural, everyday activity. Whether it’s alone or with others, trying different genres or simply choosing a new spot, there are countless ways to keep reading exciting and rewarding. Useful Resources * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
