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Reading is one of the most effective ways to develop vocabulary, comprehension, creativity and critical thinking. Whether you're introducing a new class novel, encouraging reading for pleasure or planning guided reading sessions, linking your lessons to national literacy events can help make reading more engaging and meaningful throughout the school year.
To help you plan ahead, we've created this guide featuring some of the biggest reading and literacy events taking place from July 2026 through to the end of the 2026/27 academic year. Alongside each event you'll find practical classroom reading activities, curriculum links, age-appropriate book recommendations and trusted organisations offering additional teaching resources.
The activities are designed to be flexible enough for use across EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3, making them suitable for English lessons, library sessions, tutor time, assemblies and whole-school reading initiatives. Whether you're celebrating diverse voices during South Asian Heritage Month, inspiring reluctant readers through the Summer Reading Challenge, exploring poetry or promoting inclusive reading, there's something here to support every classroom.
July 2026
South Asian Heritage Month (1–31 July)
From 2026 onwards, South Asian Heritage Month takes place throughout July, celebrating the cultures, histories and contributions of people with roots in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives. It provides an excellent opportunity to introduce pupils to diverse authors, explore different storytelling traditions and celebrate representation in literature.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Diverse authors and perspectives
- Vocabulary development
- Speaking and listening
- Cultural understanding
Reading activities
- Create a classroom display celebrating South Asian authors and illustrators.
- Compare traditional South Asian folktales with familiar British fairy tales.
- Build a vocabulary wall using new words and phrases discovered through reading.
- Ask pupils to recommend a book featuring South Asian characters or settings.
- Encourage pupils to research an author and present a short book talk to the class.
Recommended books
- EYFS / KS1 - Nimesh the Adventurer – Ranjit Singh
- KS2 - Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet – Zanib Mian
- KS3 - The Girl of Ink and Stars – Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Useful resources
- South Asian Heritage Month – https://southasianheritage.org.uk
Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge, organised by The Reading Agency, encourages children to continue reading throughout the summer holidays by borrowing books from their local library. Since launching in 1999, it has helped millions of children discover new books while reducing the "summer holiday dip" in reading confidence and attainment. The 2026 theme is Read to the Beat.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Independent reading
- Home learning
- Library skills
- Vocabulary development
Reading activities
- Create a classroom reading passport for the summer holidays.
- Ask pupils to design their own reading challenge with personalised goals.
- Set up a "book speed dating" session where pupils spend two minutes exploring several books before choosing one to borrow.
- Start a class recommendation wall where pupils leave mini reviews for classmates.
- Challenge pupils to read books from different genres throughout the holidays.
Recommended books
KS1 - Grimwood – Nadia Shireen
KS2 - The Nothing to See Here Hotel – Steven Butler
KS2/KS3 - The Last Bear – Hannah Gold
Useful resources
- https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
- https://readingagency.org.uk
- https://www.gov.uk/local-library-services
Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate disabled voices and encourage pupils to explore stories featuring disabled characters and authors. It also provides a chance to discuss accessible reading formats, including audiobooks, large-print editions and dyslexia-friendly books.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Diversity and inclusion
- Speaking and listening
- Empathy and discussion
- Accessible reading
Reading activities
- Compare the experience of reading a printed book with listening to an audiobook.
- Explore how different characters overcome challenges throughout a story.
- Invite pupils to recommend books that feature positive disability representation.
- Create an inclusive classroom reading display celebrating disabled authors and protagonists.
- Discuss why representation in books matters and how stories help us understand different perspectives.
Recommended books
EYFS / KS1 - What Happened to You? – James Catchpole
KS2 - Can You Feel the Noise? – Stewart Foster
KS3 - A Kind of Spark – Elle McNicoll
Useful resources
September 2026
International Literacy Day (8 September)
Celebrated every year on 8 September, UNESCO's International Literacy Day highlights the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning. It's an ideal opportunity to celebrate reading across your school and encourage pupils to discover new books and authors.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Speaking and listening
Reading activities
- Hold a whole-school "Drop Everything and Read" session.
- Invite staff to share their favourite childhood books.
- Organise paired reading between older and younger pupils.
- Create classroom reading pledges for the year ahead.
- Ask pupils to design bookmarks featuring their favourite reading quotes.
Recommended books
EYFS / KS1 - Luna Loves Library Day – Joseph Coelho
KS2 - The Bookshop Girl – Sylvia Bishop
KS3 - The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Useful resources
Heritage Open Days (11–20 September)
Heritage Open Days encourage pupils to discover local history through stories, archives and historical buildings. Literature can help bring local history to life while developing comprehension and research skills.
Reading activities
- Read historical fiction linked to your local area.
- Compare diary extracts with modern storytelling.
- Research a local landmark and present findings.
- Create a timeline based on events in a historical novel.
- Visit a local library or heritage site and gather inspiration for creative writing.
Recommended books
KS1 - Katie in London – James Mayhew
KS2 - Street Child – Berlie Doherty
KS3 - Coram Boy – Jamila Gavin
Useful resources
International Translation Day (30 September)
Introduce pupils to stories from around the world and celebrate the importance of translators in bringing literature to new audiences.
Reading activities
- Compare translated books with familiar English texts.
- Learn greetings from languages featured in your reading.
- Explore stories from different countries.
- Discuss how illustrations help tell stories without words.
- Encourage bilingual pupils to recommend favourite books from their home language.
Recommended books
KS1 - The Snowman – Raymond Briggs
KS2 - The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
KS3 - Mister Orange – Truus Matti
October 2026
Black History Month
Black History Month is an opportunity to broaden pupils' reading through fiction, biographies and poetry by Black authors and to explore stories that celebrate Black history, culture and achievement.
Reading activities
- Create an author spotlight display.
- Compare biographies of inspirational figures.
- Hold a class book discussion around themes of identity and belonging.
- Ask pupils to recommend books by Black authors.
- Write book reviews celebrating diverse voices.
Recommended books
EYFS / KS1 - Sulwe – Lupita Nyong'o
KS2 - Coming to England – Floella Benjamin
KS3 - Noughts & Crosses – Malorie Blackman
Useful resources
National Poetry Day (1 October)
National Poetry Day takes place on the first Thursday in October each year and is a fantastic opportunity to encourage pupils to experiment with language, rhythm and performance. Poetry can help develop fluency, confidence when reading aloud and an appreciation of vocabulary, while also providing opportunities for creative writing. It is coordinated by the Forward Arts Foundation and celebrated by schools, libraries and communities across the UK.
Curriculum links
- Reading fluency
- Performance reading
- Vocabulary development
- Speaking and listening
- Creative writing
Reading activities
- Host a classroom poetry performance where pupils read their favourite poem aloud.
- Compare poems by different authors exploring the same theme.
- Create a "poetry trail" around school with poems displayed in different locations.
- Introduce blackout poetry using pages from unwanted books or newspapers.
- Encourage pupils to write and illustrate their own poems inspired by a class text.
Recommended books
KS1 - A Great Big Cuddle – Michael Rosen
KS2 - A Kid in My Class – Rachel Rooney
KS3 - The Black Flamingo – Dean Atta
Useful resources
- National Poetry Day – https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk
- Poetry By Heart – https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk
Family Learning Festival (October–November)
The Family Learning Festival encourages families to learn together, making it the perfect opportunity to strengthen home reading habits and encourage children to share books with parents, carers and siblings.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Home learning
- Oracy
- Reading comprehension
Reading activities
- Organise a family reading afternoon.
- Create take-home reading packs for different year groups.
- Ask pupils to interview a family member about their favourite childhood book.
- Produce a class list of recommended family reads.
- Challenge pupils to read together at home for 20 minutes each evening.
Recommended books
EYFS / KS1 - Peace at Last – Jill Murphy
KS2 - The 13-Storey Treehouse – Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
KS3 - When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit – Judith Kerr
Useful resources
- Campaign for Learning – https://campaign-for-learning.org.uk
Dyslexia Awareness Week
Dyslexia Awareness Week is a chance to celebrate different ways of learning while promoting accessible reading. It provides an opportunity to introduce pupils to dyslexia-friendly books, audiobooks and inclusive teaching strategies.
Curriculum links
- Inclusive reading
- Reading confidence
- Vocabulary
- Reading for pleasure
Reading activities
- Explore dyslexia-friendly books and discuss what makes them accessible.
- Listen to an audiobook before comparing it with the printed version.
- Invite pupils to recommend books in different formats.
- Create an inclusive reading display in your classroom or library.
- Discuss how everyone experiences reading differently.
Recommended books
KS1 - Amazing – Steve Antony
KS2 - The Goldfish Boy – Lisa Thompson
KS3 - Fish in a Tree – Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Useful resources
- British Dyslexia Association – https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Bookshop Day
Bookshop Day celebrates the important role independent bookshops play in inspiring readers of all ages.
Reading activities
- Organise a classroom "bookshop" where pupils recommend books to classmates.
- Create book review cards to accompany favourite titles.
- Design new book covers for well-loved stories.
- Research local independent bookshops.
- Vote for your class "Book of the Year".
Recommended books
EYFS / KS1 - I Really Want to Read You This Book – Max Greenfield
KS2 - Pages & Co.: Tilly and the Bookwanderers – Anna James
KS3 - The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Useful resources
- Books Are My Bag – https://booksaremybag.com
Green Libraries Week
Green Libraries Week encourages pupils to explore environmental issues through books, helping them develop research skills while learning about sustainability.
Reading activities
- Create a display of environmental fiction and non-fiction.
- Compare facts and opinions in climate-related texts.
- Read books featuring environmental themes.
- Research local wildlife using library books.
- Produce persuasive posters encouraging others to care for the environment.
Recommended books
KS1 - Somebody Swallowed Stanley – Sarah Roberts
KS2 - The Last Bear – Hannah Gold
KS3 - Where the World Turns Wild – Nicola Penfold
Useful resources
- Libraries Connected – https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk
November 2026
World Nursery Rhyme Week
World Nursery Rhyme Week celebrates the importance of rhyme, rhythm and repetition in developing early literacy skills. It is particularly valuable for EYFS and KS1 pupils, supporting phonological awareness and language development.
Curriculum links
- Phonics
- Oral language
- Reading fluency
- Vocabulary
Reading activities
- Perform favourite nursery rhymes together.
- Create actions for traditional rhymes.
- Match rhyming words.
- Invent new verses for familiar rhymes.
- Explore books that use rhythm and repetition.
Recommended books
EYFS - Each Peach Pear Plum – Janet and Allan Ahlberg
EYFS / KS1 - Oi Frog! – Kes Gray and Jim Field
KS1 - The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems
Useful resources
- World Nursery Rhyme Week – https://worldnurseryrhymeweek.com
December 2026
Winter Mini Challenge
The Winter Mini Challenge helps children maintain reading habits throughout the Christmas holidays by encouraging independent reading during December, January and February.
Curriculum links
- Reading for pleasure
- Independent reading
- Home reading
Reading activities
- Create a festive reading advent calendar.
- Keep a winter reading journal.
- Hold a class book swap before the holidays.
- Set personal reading goals for the new year.
- Design festive bookmarks inspired by favourite books.
Recommended books
KS1 - The Snowman – Raymond Briggs
KS2 - The Christmasaurus – Tom Fletcher
KS3 - Letters from Father Christmas – J.R.R. Tolkien
Useful resources
- Winter Mini Challenge – https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/winter-mini-challenge
Spring and Summer 2027
The second half of the academic year offers even more opportunities to keep reading at the heart of school life.
Consider planning activities around:
- National Storytelling Week – celebrate oral storytelling by asking pupils to retell favourite stories, record podcasts or perform traditional tales.
- World Book Day (UK & Ireland) – encourage pupils to discover new authors, swap books and take part in whole-school reading celebrations. The UK and Ireland hold their own World Book Day in March, separate from UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April.
- Shakespeare Day – introduce extracts from Shakespeare through performance, graphic novels or modern retellings.
- Refugee Week – explore themes of belonging, identity and resilience through carefully chosen fiction and non-fiction.
- National Writing Day – use favourite books as inspiration for creative writing, poetry and storytelling.
- Summer Reading Challenge 2027 – encourage pupils to continue reading during the summer break by taking part through their local library.
Keep Reading All Year Round
Reading shouldn't be limited to English lessons or special events. By linking books to national awareness days, cultural celebrations and seasonal themes, you can create engaging reading experiences that inspire curiosity and encourage pupils to read for pleasure throughout the year.
Whether you're introducing a new author, planning guided reading sessions or organising a whole-school reading initiative, these activities provide a flexible starting point that can be adapted for every age group.
Further Reading Resources
For more inspiration and free teaching resources, explore:
- National Literacy Trust – https://literacytrust.org.uk
- BookTrust – https://www.booktrust.org.uk
- The Reading Agency – https://readingagency.org.uk
- Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) – https://clpe.org.uk
- School Library Association – https://www.sla.org.uk
- Oxford Owl – https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk
By building reading into the rhythm of the school year, you'll not only support the curriculum but also help pupils discover the enjoyment, confidence and lifelong benefits that come from developing a love of books.
