In our recent webinar, we heard from @mattcourtney.bsky.social at Wandle English Hub, with practical strategies to support reading as children start school. Find out why starting school is such a critical moment for reading enjoyment in our new evidence-informed guide. https://bit.ly/4aXulK0

Fancy helping us choose the books for our programmes? We're currently recruiting for our selection panels for: ⭐ #Bookstart Additional Needs ⭐ #Bookbuzz Primary ⭐ #Bookbuzz Secondary Find out if you're eligible to take part and apply here 👇 https://bit.ly/4wEeoR6

Our brilliant Writer in Residence Tom Percival is showing us how to draw different emotions! 🖌️ It's all because of his fabulous competition, giving children the chance to win books and art supplies by drawing a character displaying an emotion. Find out more 👇 https://bit.ly/3SfeiRg

The Education Committee's reading for pleasure report is out! After contributing to the inquiry alongside #ReadingRights ambassador @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social we welcome the early years focus & the National Reading Guarantee idea to make reading a right for every child. @helenhayes.bsky.social

Every year, over 1,200 schools use #Bookbuzz Secondary to inspire their students to read for pleasure! And 91% of schools taking part in our survey told us the programme helps them meet the DfE Reading Framework’s objectives on reading for pleasure. Get involved here: https://bit.ly/4pj1u8I

Debbie and her niece Dora helped us to shape our short film #StoriesThatConnectUs - highlighting the difference shared reading can make to foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Read their full story: https://bit.ly/4vy9Afn

Our recent survey showed that teachers are looking for support with reading for pleasure. 📚 #Bookbuzzz Primary is here to help! An expertly curated book selection. Grab and go resources. And the chance for each registered pupil to choose a book to take home and keep 👇 https://bit.ly/4h29F7k

Last week we announced the incredible @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social as our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate ✨ With some amazing former Laureates in the room, we asked four of them what top tips they have. Find out about Patrice's exciting plans for her Laureateship! https://bit.ly/4vqVSdY

"I feel hopeful every time I walk into a school and meet the young people. How thoughtful, empathetic, considerate and knowledgeable they are. That's what gives me hope" The wonderful @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social, our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate, on what keeps her optimistic.

We unveiled our brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate this week - the brilliant @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social! Your July book mission is to read one of Patrice's amazing books - which one will you choose? 📚 See our reviews: https://bit.ly/3QujoCB 📅 Get the full calendar: https://bit.ly/3QujoCB

#Bookstart Toddler & Pre-schooler reached 417,400 children last year with books & support to help families make shared reading part of their lives. And 76% of parents said the packs prompted them to share stories more with their child. Read more in our Impact Report: https://bit.ly/4w2kJ9o

Win an author visit with Brogen Murphy, author of Wildlands - one of this year's #Bookbuzz Secondary books! ✨ Every school that has registered for Bookbuzz by midnight on 24 July will automatically be entered into the prize draw. Register now: https://bit.ly/4blVXZl

Our most recent and our brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate reflecting on what it takes to inspire change. We could watch these amazing minds working together all day! Thank you @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social 🤩

We're still on a high after announcing that @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social is our brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate yesterday! You know she's officially a League of Laureates member when she gets a portrait from her fellow Laureate Chris Riddell - he drew this during the ceremony yesterday!

What a fantastic day we've had unveiling @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social as our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate! We're so proud to manage the Laureateship, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to give every child the best start in life through shared reading. More 👇 https://bit.ly/44JmbkO

Brilliant to catch @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social for a quick chat to find out how it feels to be the brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate!

🥳 We are delighted to announce that the brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-2028 is the marvellous @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social We're so excited that Patrice is taking on the role and love that she will be focusing on how stories can help to build communities. #NationalYearOfReading2026

"I want to champion the power of books to connect us and make us feel like we belong" @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social, our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-28, speaking powerfully about the role of stories to build connection and community - and how this will be the focus of her Laureateship.

“It takes all of us to do it, so we can only do it with love” The incredible @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social is here to hand over his crown as Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate. But who will the next Laureate be? 👀

What a treat that the absolutely marvellous Lemn Sissay is here to host our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-28 ceremony!

We caught up with outgoing Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social to find out how he's feeling about handing over the role and crowning his successor later today! Frank has been absolutely magnificent and we can't wait to share who's coming next 👀

Today's the day! We're announcing our brand new @waterstones.bsky.social #ChildrensLaureate today. Stay tuned 👀

Something very exciting is coming. Tomorrow, we'll be unveiling the brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-2028 - the 14th person to take on the role. Stay tuned on our channels for the news as it happens... #NationalYearOfReading2026

As we come to the end of @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social's time as Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate, we're giving you the chance to win his powerful new book. A British Childhood draws on Frank's experiences over the past two years and is a stirring call for us all to act 👇 https://bit.ly/44GQwAt

As @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social incredible time as Waterstones Children's Laureate comes to a close, we want to say a HUGE thank you. As our Reading Rights Ambassador, Frank will continue to champion the idea that reading should be a right for every child, right from the earliest moments.

Meet this year's #Bookbuzz Secondary books! 📚 We worked with an expert panel including teachers and school librarians to choose this exciting selection, and we had a LOT to think about. Find out what went into picking the books here 👇 https://bit.ly/3QP3lWe

Today we're saying a huge thank you & good luck to the team at @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social, who are taking part in the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival! The team have come up with so many exciting ways to support us over the last three years, and we're wishing them every success in today's race 🐉

Books and play are sometimes treated as separate activities. But for babies and young children, books can be part of play. This #PlayWeek, Dr Ly Chu, principal researcher at BookTrust, shares how play brings stories to life. Read the blog post: https://bit.ly/44GnroH @eyalliance.bsky.social

📣 Just launched! Our new research shows that reading enjoyment drops as children start school, but there are things we can do to turn the tide. Amy McGarvey, Research and Impact Lead, is here to explain more. Read our evidence-informed practice guide: https://bit.ly/4xYNaX3

Who says reading has to be a quiet activity? It's the @eyalliance.bsky.social Week of Play, celebrating the powerful role of books and storytelling in the early years. Take a look at our suggestions for fun, playful and interactive books - perfect for #PlayWeek! https://bit.ly/4gaPGmB