There are so many excellent initiatives, awards, events and research projects taking place all the time in the children's book world, as well as insightful discussions around the vital roles that libraries and librarians play in encouraging children and young people to develop a love of reading. Welcome to our weekly round-up of the news that you don't want to miss!
Social Reading Spaces Study: Last week HarperCollins UK released the results of a study conducted in collaboration with School Library Association. The Social Reading Spaces study demonstrates the positive impact of an innovative new approach to book clubs. Running for 12 weeks across 17 UK school libraries, run by SLA members, the study targeted Year 8 students – an age group in which recent research by HarperCollins shows 65% of boys and 48% of girls “don’t really enjoy reading books”. The study removed reading expectations, instead creating relaxed environments for book talk in social and supportive library settings. Among the 400+ participants, 84% found it worthwhile and 60% reported increased interest in books. One school documented remarkable results, with some students’ reading ages increasing by as much as 15 months. Beyond reading ability, the book clubs also created social connection and gave pupils a safe space in which to express their emotions.
The study supports the SLA's continued advocacy for investment in school libraries and librarians, and ring-fenced time to access the school library for all children and young people. The remarkable results achieved in just 12 weeks demonstrate the critical role of the school library in combating concerning trends in attitudes to reading.
ReadWithPride Relay: #ReadWithPride is a social media photo relay designed to celebrate and promote great young adult LGBTQIA+ literature during Pride Month. The idea is that every school day in Pride Month (June), on their designated day, participating schools from across the UK will share a photo of a member(s) of their school (staff, pupils, or both) with a favourite LGBTQIA+ fiction title for young people (using the #ReadWithPride hashtag) and tag the next school in the relay. Last year, 61 schools participated. Photos can be as involved or simple as you like- they just need to feature someone proudly displaying the book! If you would like to participate in the 2025 relay, you can register via this form by Friday 16th May. You can follow @ReadWithPrideUK on Instagram or X to join in the celebration on social media.
BookTrust Storytime Prize: Ten Little Ducklings by Lucy Rowland and Aki was crowned the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2025 winner at an online ceremony on 30th April. The rhyming picture book, published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, captured the hearts of public librarians, families, and early years professionals across the country, who voted it their favourite in this year’s competition.
The BookTrust Storytime programme is an initiative designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading by encouraging families to visit their local library and enjoy stories together. Research from BookTrust highlights that young children who enjoy reading are more likely to form strong reading habits, and in turn benefit from improved speech and language development, stronger emotional wellbeing and social skills, better family bonds and higher academic achievement later in life. Building upon foundations laid through storytime, we would love to see every child having access to a vibrant school library on entering education, to continue developing their academic, emotional and social growth.
CILIP has announced the theme for this year's Libraries Week campaign: Libraries Change Lives by sustaining economic growth. Libraries Change Lives is an advocacy campaign capturing and celebrating the impact of libraries, putting the sector on a public platform where libraries, library staff and library users can showcase the value of their service - both locally and nationally. Libraries Week: Libraries Change Lives 2025 will run from Monday 2 June to Sunday 8 June, celebrating the vital role libraries play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. Find out more.
A research team at The Open University are working on a study of popular Young Adult fiction. They are conducting a four-nation survey for secondary school librarians and students looking at understanding how fictional characters and social worlds are represented by in the 50 best-selling YA books. By identifying and analysing repeated words and phrases across these books the study aims to investigate how these pattern together as hidden discourses about who and what is valued in the real world. The research team is keen to hear from secondary school librarians who are willing to share their views on YA fiction - and would also love your help in encouraging students to take part too. Find out more.
Leia Sands, Librarian at Steyning CE Primary School - current recipient of the Peter Usborne Primary School Library award - is featured in a Headteacher Update podcast released this week, featuring advice, ideas and examples for effective library provision in the primary school, including tips for whole-school literacy support and reading for pleasure. You can listen to the podcast now. Leia will also join us for our new webinar series, Developing a Primary School Library, taking place on 21st May and 24th June.
And finally... we were delighted to release the longlist for the 15th annual SLA Information Book Award this week, as well as opening registrations for this years Information Book Award Book Club for schools. From essential history to natural wonders; practical life skills to managing your emotions; how the world works and how others see it: the 2025 Information Book Award longlist is an awesome demonstration of the quality of Information Books available for children and young people, spanning everything from burps to skateboards and politics to physics. Discover the longlist and register to take part in the IBA Book Club before 11th June.