Read to the Beat!
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme is Read to the Beat!, delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK. The theme inspires children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
This year’s Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate.
2026 Launch Dates
📖 Scotland and online: Saturday 20 June
📖 England and Wales: Saturday 4 July
Discover more about each book in the Collection with this resource
The official Read to the Beat Collection
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge book Collection features 55 captivating titles for different reading levels, including picture books, early readers, and middle grade titles, as well as dyslexia-friendly titles.
With a mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels, the collection has been carefully curated to engage young minds with the magic of music with the input of reading specialists and an expert reading panel. The books will be available to borrow for free from public libraries.
Please note these titles have been broadly divided into age categories for the Summer Reading Challenge Book Collection but you can find more specific age ratings, including any relevant content warnings, on publisher websites to ensure a title is suitable for your child.
The official Read to the Beat Collection is available for purchase via library suppliers or on Bookshop.org.
Who is the Summer Reading Challenge for?
The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children from 4-11 years old. It supports this age group and their families by:
📖 Preparing children to get back to the classroom in the autumn
📖 Supporting the move into a new year group or key stage
📖 Boosting children’s confidence and self-esteem by supporting independent reading
📖 Providing free access to books and fun family activities during the summer
Get involved
In the library
Visit your local library and sign up. Your child will set a reading goal, choose anything they like to read, and collect special stickers and rewards for their reading. Libraries offer lots of free activities and events throughout the summer.
Online
Sign up on the official Challenge website to take part online. Children can set a reading goal and get tips for accessing books for free at home. As they read books, they’ll unlock digital rewards, including a printable certificate. Teachers sign up on the School Zone to receive lots of resources to help promote the Challenge to your class.
