National Year of Reading 2026

At Stratford Literary Festival, our love of books and reading is at the heart of everything we do — and we work tirelessly to share that passion with as many people as possible. Through our Festival programmes and year-round outreach, we champion the incredible power of reading: to spark curiosity, build empathy, fuel imagination, deepen understanding, and bring people together through stories.

Throughout 2026 (and honestly, always!) we’ll be going full steam ahead to inspire readers of all ages to dive into books and discover the joy they bring. A huge part of our mission is encouraging young people to see just how transformative books can be — especially when they’re written by real authors with real stories to tell. Books can open doors to whole new worlds, and we’re determined to help children step through them.

In 2026, we’ll be working harder than ever by:

• Hosting a special event for local schoolchildren with Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the Children’s Laureate

• Giving every child a free copy of Frank’s book The Blockbusters

• Taking 12 authors into 22 schools in the spring — with even more visits planned for the autumn — to ignite a love of storytelling

• Running a magical bedtime story party where parents and children create a bedtime story together

• Programming a wide range of free or subsidised family events at our festivals, ensuring everyone can take part, whatever their financial circumstances

We believe reading changes lives — and we’re proud to keep working passionately, creatively, and relentlessly to make those benefits available to all.