OU Reading for Pleasure

📚 What do teachers think of the Teachers' Reading Challenge?

From discovering new authors and widening their reading repertoire to finding new books to share with pupils, teachers have been telling us what they've enjoyed about taking part.
Take a look at what this year's participants have to say 👇

Feeling inspired? There's still time to join – and there are some brilliant prizes up for grabs too!

Complete the six-book Challenge and you'll be entered into a giveaway to win:
✨ A virtual class visit from a HarperCollins author
📚 A £100 book voucher for your school library
🎁 A bumper pack of books from HarperCollins

Plus, simply by signing up, you'll be entered into a giveaway to win books from this year's Read to the Beat Summer Reading Challenge collection!

Sign up here: https://teachersreadingchallenge.org.uk

📚 August Top Texts: Rachel Saunders

Check out this month’s Top Texts chosen by Rachel Saunders, Assistant Headteacher and English Lead at Miriam Lord Primary School, who shares a selection of powerful and uplifting books to inspire young readers.

Explore the collection: https://ourfp.org/top_texts/top-texts-for-august-2026/

📩 Our August Reading for Pleasure newsletter is out now!

This month, we've got plenty to share, including:

🎟️ Our Autumn Conference – with more than half of tickets already sold
📚 The latest from the Teachers' Reading Challenge
🔎 A new exploring an antiracist lens for book talk
🎉 Michael Rosen Day's HUGE Poetry Party
💡 Plus new Examples of Practice, Top Texts, TRG updates and more.

Check your inbox or catch up here: https://ourfp.org/publications/newsletter-archive/

Not subscribed? Sign up to get the latest Reading for Pleasure news, research, resources, events and opportunities in your inbox each month! ➡️ https://ourfp.org/newsletter-signup/

New research from University Press shows that RfP helps children develop emotional vocabulary, empathy and confidence. Based on insights from more than 3,000 children and 200 teachers, the report highlights the importance of keeping children engaged with reading as they grow older.

Read more: https://corp.oup.com/feature/more-than-words-the-real-life-impact-of-reading/

📚 Have you signed up for the Teachers' Reading Challenge yet?

Whether you're a teacher, librarian or literacy lead, the free Teachers' Reading Challenge is packed with brilliant children's books, practical ideas and inspiration to help grow a RfP culture in your school.

Everyone who registers will be entered into a giveaway of books from this year's Read to the Beat Summer Reading Challenge collection. Complete just one badge and you'll also be in with a chance of winning:

�📚 A £100 voucher for your school library�
✍️ A virtual author visit from HarperCollins�
🎁 A bumper pack of HarperCollins books

Join thousands of educators already taking part and start your Challenge today: teachersreadingchallenge.org.uk

📣 We're delighted to announce our keynote speakers for the OU RfP Autumn Conference 2026!

Join acclaimed children's authors, Mel Taylor-Bessent and Bethan Woollvin for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops and research-informed ideas, all focused on strengthening RfP and re-imagining reading communities.

Whether you're a teacher, literacy lead, librarian or school leader, we'd love to welcome you!

🎟️ Tickets: £60 per person

Find out more and book online: https://ow.ly/WvBi50ZmUj0

What really builds a reading for pleasure culture in schools?

It's not just the library displays, book corners or author visits. The strongest reading for pleasure cultures are built through the everyday conversations, recommendations and reading knowledge shared by the adults around children.

Our latest blog from OU Reading for Pleasure explores how schools can build lasting reading cultures by helping educators grow as readers too.

https://readingagency.org.uk/substance-over-surface-where-reading-for-pleasure-cultures-really-begin/

🚀 Head off on a summer reading adventure! 📚

Who says reading only happens with a book? From comics and recipes to bus timetables, gaming guides and takeaway menus, there are stories and words to discover everywhere! 🗺️

Download our Reading Adventure Challenge and see how many of the 20 reading expeditions you can tick off over the summer. ☀️✔️

🔗 Start your reading your summer reading adventure here: https://ourfp.org/supporting-rah/summer-reading-adventure/

🎉 The end of another school year is almost upon us!

Why not celebrate with an OU Summer Booknic? Gather your class, invite families along, and come together to share stories, enjoy a picnic and celebrate the joy of books and reading.

We've got everything you need to make your OU Booknic one to remember, including a handy guide, author videos, posters, invitations and fun activities. ☀️📚

Download your free resources: https://ourfp.org/2026/04/27/host-an-ou-summer-booknic/