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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 3h

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we're thinking about the ways reading can help to support mental wellbeing.

Our guide for primary schools, produced with input from the team at children's mental health charity Place2Be, digs into the research and shares practical tips for schools 👇

https://bit.ly/48nuztj

A photo of a child smiling while sitting on a chair reading a book plus the words: "Children who are most engaged with reading are three times more likely to experience higher levels of mental wellbeing than those who are least engaged". Plus the source: Clark, C. & Teravainen-Goff, A. (2018). Mental wellbeing, reading and writing. National Literacy Trust. Retrieved March 17, 2025, https://nlt.cdn.ngo/media/documents/Mental_ wellbeing_reading_and_writing_2017-18_-_FINAL2_qTxyxvg.pdf.

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4h

Fabulous! See you there!

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 20h

📅 EVENT: If you'll be at Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend, don't miss this session featuring Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and our Co-CEO @anniecrombie.bsky.social!

They'll explore the power of shared reading in the early years:

https://bit.ly/3KLLU5k

The Reading Revolution | Cheltenham Festivals

Reading aloud to little ones really matters. Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, BookTrust’s Annie Crombie and early years expert Tracy Jackson explo

bit.ly

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 23h

We're delighted to share that for the next stage of our #ReadingRights campaign with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social, we're teaming up with Barnsley Council for a pilot that brings services together to get families reading.

Find out how we kicked off the project 👇

https://bit.ly/4mNTb1P

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 1d

We loved listening to @profsamwass.bsky.social on Today this morning sharing why books are the perfect form of connection for very young children.

That's why our #ReadingRights campaign highlights the importance of early shared reading.

Listen from 2h25m 🎧

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Today - 09/10/2025 - BBC Sounds

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.

www.bbc.co.uk

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 1d

It's #KinshipCareWeek, and we know that the benefits of reading are particularly transformative for children from vulnerable family backgrounds.

That's why they are at the heart of our new strategy.

Find out how we'll be working to support them over the next five years:

https://bit.ly/4396cvQ

A photo of a child smiling while reading plus a banner reading "Reading for a brighter future - BookTrust's strategy 2025-2026" and the words: "By 2030, we will reach 60,000 children in foster, adoptive and kinship care annually"

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 1d

"Having a book that’s yours to keep is an anchor."

In #KinshipCareWeek, we're sharing Bennet's story of how books and reading supported them during their childhood in kinship care, offering comfort and stability.

Read it here:

https://bit.ly/3WnFuvJ

A photo of an adult and child looking at a book together - all we can is the book and the child's hand. Plus the words: "Why book ownership matters for a child in kinship care"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 1d

⭐ NEW: Today, we're launching our briefing into the importance of book choice for children!

Produced in partnership with @openuni-rfp.bsky.social, the briefing explores the evidence & offers practical advice to support book choice in the classroom:

https://bit.ly/3VNfQk1 @teresacremin.bsky.social

An illustration by Sandhya Prabhat of a woman watching and smiling as a child eagerly chooses a glowing book from a shelf. Plus the logos for BookTrust, The Open University and Reading For Pleasure and the words: "Why book choice matters for children - discover the research"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 2d

Research shows that it makes a huge difference when children can see themselves in books - as well as discovering others' experiences.

That's why this is such an important report from @ibc-reads.bsky.social, highlighting vast gaps in meaningful representation.

Inclusive Books for Children @ibc-reads.bsky.social · 2d

✨ The Excluded Voices 2025 report is here!

We’ve updated last year’s findings on children’s books (ages 1–9) by British creators from marginalised communities — showing where progress is happening & where it’s still not.

https://ow.ly/G5Hq50X8fph

#IBCExcludedVoicesReport

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 3d

This #KinshipCareWeek, don't miss our new report, featuring insights from kinship carers on the value of shared reading.

Reading together can start conversations, nurture connections, regulate emotions, and reinforce self-worth.

Find out more:

https://bit.ly/4gZSPEk

A quote from a kinship carer in a speech bubble: "We can sit down and she knows that she's in a safe space and we can talk about anything"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 3d

We're proud to support #KinshipCareWeek.

❤️ It's time to shine a light on the vital role of kinship carers, who step up to care for a child when their parents are unable to.

Stay tuned for more from us on our work with kinship carers this week - and find out more here:

https://bit.ly/3WrsVQ1 

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Reposted by BookTrust

coralrumble.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social · 4d

So chuffed Jakub’s Otter is in the @Booktrust Great books Guide. 🦦

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

📚 NEW: The #GreatBooksGuide 2025-26 is here!

The guide is packed with 100 reading recommendations, carefully curated to engage and excite children from 4 to 11.

Explore the guide here 👇

https://bit.ly/46zY4Xx

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Reposted by BookTrust

Alastair Chisholm @alastairc.com · 5d

My book REEK is in the BookTrust Great Books Guide, yaaaay!!! 🥳🥳🥳. Alongside some brilliant company, too – check it out!

👉 alastairc.com/blog/2025100...

@barringtonstoke.bsky.social @booktrust.org.uk #KidLitUk #Reek

REEK is a BookTrust Great Book!

REEK by Alastair Chisholm has been included in the BookTrust Great Book Guide 2025

alastairc.com

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Reposted by BookTrust

Darren Chetty @darrenchetty.bsky.social · 6d

Delighted to be included. Read the full @booktrust.org.uk list here:

www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

📚 NEW: The #GreatBooksGuide 2025-26 is here!

The guide is packed with 100 reading recommendations, carefully curated to engage and excite children from 4 to 11.

Explore the guide here 👇

https://bit.ly/46zY4Xx

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

Find out more about how our programmes are designed to engage families in our latest impact report 👇

www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/wha...

Our impact

Understanding the impact of our interventions is central to BookTrust’s work. Our monitoring, evaluation and learning activities enable us to clearly…

www.booktrust.org.uk

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

🤩 Interactive, relevant, representative and engaging books make reading more fun.

When parents, carers and children see each other’s enjoyment, they’re motivated to read together more often. (4/5)

A photo of a woman and a toddler with a Bookstart pack plus the words: "Interactive, relevant, representative, engaging books make reading more fun."

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

📚 The books are carefully selected.

We look for titles that will support children's development and encourage interaction, because we know this is key to shared reading. (3/5)

A photo of a woman and child looking at a book plus the words: "The books are carefully selected to support families."

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

😄 Information and activities included in the packs show how reading can be fun.

And when reading is fun families are motivated to read more. (2/5)

A photo of a woman and child looking at a book plus the words: "Information and activities show how reading can be fun"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 4d

Did you know that the contents of our #Bookstart Early Years packs are carefully chosen and designed based on evidence and research into what will help get families reading?

Here's how it works 🧵 👇 (1/5)

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 5d

#StorySharerWeek is coming, and we're so excited about the webinar we have lined up for you!

We'll be exploring research and case studies to discover how shared reading can help to build key life skills.

Book your free spot here 👇

https://bit.ly/4gtIqjI

A photo of a woman sharing a book with a child plus the words: "Story Sharer Week - Join our webinar. How shared reading in the early years can help build key life skills. 2pm - Thursday 16 October."

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 6d

We're so excited to share the Books We Love this October!

Every month, we pick out our favourite new reads to support families and practitioners to choose great books for children.

Find October's selection here 👇

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recommendations/best-new-books/

The front covers of our recommended books this month plus the words: "Books We Love in October"

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 6d

Find out more about our Impact Goals and how we'll achieve them in our Strategy, Reading for a Brighter Future 👇

www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/our...

Our strategy

We’ve recently launched our new strategy - Reading for a brighter future - setting out our renewed five-year vision to help more children and families…

www.booktrust.org.uk

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 6d

3. Reading is a habitual part of the everyday life of all children, with focus on those who need support the most.

By 2030, we will be supporting more teachers in primary and secondary schools and reaching more children with support that helps them read regularly and by choice.

A heart reading "Impact Goal Three" and the words: "Reading is a habitual part of the everyday life of all children, with focus on those who need support the most."

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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 6d

2. Reading together is embedded in the life of early years families with low incomes.

Over the next five years, we want to reach a total of 2.15 million children, including at least 1.7 million families with low incomes.

A heart reading "Impact Goal Two" and the words; "Reading together is embedded in the life of early years families with low incomes"

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