If there’s one thing that gets my bookish heart racing, it’s a campaign that actually makes a difference and Bookshop.org has kicked off February with something truly brilliant. Read It Forward is back for its third year, and once again it’s all about helping children discover the joy, escape, and confidence that comes from reading.
And honestly? I LOVE to see it.
Celebrity Ambassadors Champion the 2026 Drive
This year’s ambassadors bring serious star power:
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Ben Miller — actor, author, and master of magical storytelling
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Joseph Coelho — former Waterstones Children’s Laureate and poetry powerhouse
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Gill Sims — bestselling writer and newly minted YA author
All three are joining forces to shout about the importance of reading for pleasure especially during the National Year of Reading, a nationwide campaign responding to declining reading enjoyment among young people. If ever there was a time to rally behind books, it’s now.
How Read It Forward Works
Throughout February 2026, Bookshop.org will donate 10% of every children’s book sale, including pre-orders, to BookTrust and Scottish Book Trust. The initiative supports both young readers and independent bookshops, making it a win-win for the entire book world.
Last year, the campaign helped over 1,550 families access books they otherwise might not have had. And with demand for literacy support continuing to grow, this year’s fundraising matters more than ever.
Big 2026 Children’s Releases Included
Readers are being encouraged to pre-order some of the year’s most anticipated children’s books — all eligible for donations:
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Heartstopper Vol. 6 by Alice Oseman
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The Last Wolf by Rob Biddulph
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Evenfall: The Tempest Stone by Alexander Armstrong
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Hari Kumar, Ultimate Superstar by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
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The Long Way Home by Holly Bourne
If your TBR needed an excuse… well, here it is.
What the Ambassadors Say:
Ben Miller says he’s thrilled to support a campaign that “keeps the magic alive” for children and I couldn’t agree more.
Joseph Coelho reminds us that reading “broadens horizons” and should be every child’s right.
Gill Sims highlights how vital books are for teenagers navigating the chaos of adolescence: “Reading can unlock empathy… and help them realise their feelings are valid.”
Why This Matters
BookTrust and Scottish Book Trust continue to reach children and families who face barriers to reading from financial hardship to lack of access. Funds from Read It Forward help fuel programmes like Bookbug for the Home and early years outreach, giving kids the chance to discover stories that could change their lives.
As Bookshop.org’s UK Managing Director Nicole Vanderbilt puts it: supporting children’s literacy while boosting indie bookshops is something the whole publishing industry can and should rally behind.
Get Involved:
Buying a children’s book this month? Buy it through Bookshop.org. Pre-ordering a title for later in the year? Even better. Everything counts.
Follow updates with #ReadItForward and check out the toolkit if you want to help spread the word. Click to Download:
