The Reading Agency and Blue Peter are searching for page-turners

The Reading Agency and Blue Peter are teaming up to ask publishers to submit great books for a new joint children’s reading initiative. The scheme aims to find titles which children won’t want to put down and introduce young readers to new writing that they may not have previously discovered.

Publishers are invited to suggest titles which were published between September 2021 and August 2023, and which are suitable for children aged between 5 and 11, including fiction, graphic novels, poetry and non-fiction. They’re seeking books which cover a range of interest areas and genres, from action and adventure to titles that will help children discover more about the world, be inspired, get creative and laugh.

They are particularly eager to connect young readers with books by authors and illustrators who are from underrepresented backgrounds so that children from a broad range of backgrounds can see themselves positively reflected. Submitted titles will then be put forward for shortlisting by an expert panel including librarians over the summer.

The joint initiative is open for submissions until Wednesday 5 July and publishers can find out more here.

Titles can be submitted via an online survey.

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency said: “The Reading Agency knows the impact that discovering a good book can have on children’s imaginations. We’re delighted to be working with our partners at Blue Peter to find new titles which spark a joy of reading in young people across the country and are looking forward to sharing more about the initiative later this year.”

Please contact [email protected] with questions about submitting titles.

Image credit: Blue Peter Presenter Joel Mawhinney, BBC