Why Wait for the National Year of Reading? Join Our Summer Reading Challenge Today!

The Department for Education’s recent announcement of the National Year of Reading 2026 has put the spotlight back on reading for pleasure. This national campaign is a great reminder that reading can transform lives, improve attainment and build brighter futures. As a charity that champions books with a tech theme, Technology Books for Children welcomes this initiative with open arms.

But our question is: Why wait until 2026?

Children need engaging books and inspiring stories now. Stories that reflect the world they live in, one that is increasingly shaped by technology. Books about creativity, coding, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Careers, Data, Robotics, Problem-solving and innovation can be just as captivating as fairy tales or fantasy.

That’s why we’re taking action today.

Introducing: Our Summer of Stories and Discovery

A tech-themed Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 7–11

Starting this July, we are inviting children, parents, schools and libraries to join our Summer Reading Challenge. This exciting challenge combines the joy of reading with real-world tech topics to get young readers inspired, curious and confident.

Here’s how it works:

• Read six tech-themed books: These can be fiction or non-fiction and cover areas like robotics, cybersecurity, tech innovation, sustainability, coding, digital citizenship and more!
• Complete simple tech activities: The summer of stories and discovery booklet is packed full of #screenfree tech related activities – word searches, make your own…, write your own…, find the clue and lots more!
• Earn a certificate: Children will be awarded a personalised certificate at the end of the challenge to celebrate their success.

It’s a perfect way to keep children reading over the holidays while also introducing them to key digital skills and ideas that can fuel lifelong learning.

Why Tech-Themed Books?

Books are powerful tools for sparking imagination. When those books also reflect emerging technology, they:

• Challenge stereotypes about who belongs in STEM
• Make complex ideas approachable and exciting
• Show real-world relevance, especially for children curious about how things work
• Encourage collaboration and creativity

We believe that tech and storytelling belong together and that every child deserves access to books that connect them with their future.

Let’s build momentum now, so that by the time the National Year of Reading begins in 2026, we’ll already have a community of children who are confident readers and creative thinkers. Ready to start?

Visit technologybooksforchildren.org to download your free Summer of Stories and Discovery booklet and join the movement.

• Let’s turn every page into a spark of curiosity.
• Let’s read for pleasure and for the future.