Help tackle the children’s reading crisis
buy books to help raise funds for Booktrust
Booktrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, with an aim to get children reading from their earliest days, especially those from low-income families or vulnerable backgrounds.
Children who read regularly experience better mental well-being. They form stronger bonds and relationships. They do better at school and are more creative.
There is a decline in children reading
But there is a worrying decline in children’s reading habits in the UK. BookTrust's research reveals that by age 11, only a quarter of children in the UK love to read.
For the whole of February, 10% of ALL children's books sold on Bookshop.org (including educational titles, YA, board books, picture books and middle grade) will count, AND you'll still be supporting independent bookshops with every sale.
If you would like some suggestions, find them here. They are books and authors that I think are great for getting children reading, even those who aren’t huge readers.
In fact I have several lists of recommended reads on Bookshop.org, including one for my own books, should you need a reminder!
And this year I am a judge
This year I’m delighted to be on the judging panel of the Branford Board Award for debut children’s authors. So my reading for the next few months will be all the children’s books nominated.
So if you want to join in then you can see what you think, because I will be keeping you posted on some of my favourites! (Have already made a start and Wow, this is going to be difficult!)
In store for me is a lot of pre and even mid-apocalyptic adventures, from Songlight, the debut novel for young people by playwright Moira Buffini, edited by Alice Swan (Faber), to The Love Interest by Helen Comerford, edited by Carla Hutchinson (Bloomsbury Children’s Books), and Apocalypse Cow by O.R. Sorrel, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books).
The 2025 Branford Boase Award longlist in full:
Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm by Ash Bond, edited by Ruth Bennett (Piccadilly Press)
Songlight by Moira Buffini, edited by Alice Swan (Faber)
The World Between the Rain by Susan Cahill, edited by Mikka Haugaard (Everything with Words)
The Love Interest by Helen Comerford, edited by Carla Hutchinson (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
The Boy in the Suit by James Fox, edited by Lauren Fortune (Scholastic)
Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher by Luan Goldie, edited by Megan Middleton (Walker Books)
This Dark Heart by Zeena Gosrani, edited by Hayley Fairhead (Firefly Press)
Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, edited by Katie Sinfield (Penguin Random House)
The Exes by Anam Iqbal, edited by India Chambers (Penguin)
All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan, edited by Rachel Leyshon (Chicken House)
These Stolen Lives by Sharada Keats, edited by Julia Sanderson and Genevieve
Herr (Scholastic)
Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari, edited by Emma Lidbury and Susan Van Metre (Walker Books)
The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees, edited by Carmen McCullough (Puffin)
Badgers Are Go! by Susannah Lloyd, illus by Nici Gregory, edited by Meggie Dennis (David Fickling Books)
Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald, edited by Alice Swan, assisted by Ama Badu (Faber)
The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan, edited by Tierney Holm (Scholastic)
Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo, edited by Hannah Sandford (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
The Untameables by Clare Pollard, illus by Reena Makwana edited by Emma Dai’an Wright (The Emma Press)
Apocalypse Cow by O.R. Sorrel, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books)
The Boy to Beat the Gods by Ashley Thorpe, edited by Sarah Stewart (Usborne)
I love to support any initiatives that encourage children to read, so if you know anyone who might want a good book in February, do buy it from Bookshop.org and support this great idea.
Nicki