The Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant 2026 has been launched by Penguin Random House UK as part of the company's support for the National Year of Reading. Noting that indies "play a vital role in introducing young people to books and helping to build lifelong reading habits," PRH described the grant program as "a major new initiative to support independent bookshops in their important work of inspiring young people to enjoy reading."
The Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant will make up to £150,000 (about $205,015) available "to help independent bookshops bring creative ideas to life that inspire children and young people to engage with books and discover the joy of reading." Indies in the U.K. can apply for funding between £1,500 and £5,000 (about $2,050 to $6,835) to support initiatives that:
- Encourage children and young people to read for pleasure
- Help young readers to discover books that connect to their interests
- Increase access to books and reading experiences
- Engage families, schools, and local communities in reading
- Promote social connection and cohesion through reading
Francesca Dow, managing director of PRH Children's, said the publisher wants to "spark children's imaginations and help them find the book that's just right for them.... Whether it's picture-book corners, author events in partnership with local schools, enticing window displays or specialist reading clubs, independent bookshops have always created imaginative and successful ways to connect their local community with the joy and love of reading.
"We are delighted to launch this grant, which we hope will encourage new and exciting ways to reach young readers and to support the creativity and passion of independent booksellers. We are so looking forward to seeing the projects enabled by this grant develop from kernels of ideas to impactful program which will leave a lasting legacy on the lives of children, families and communities across the U.K."
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| Christoph Pienkoss | |
The International Publishers Association has confirmed Christoph Pienkoss (Verband Bildungsmedien, Germany) as the new chair of IPA Educational Publishers Forum, succeeding Brian Gilsenan (C.J. Fallon, Ireland). José Manuel Anta (Spanish Publishers Federation, Spain) will be vice-chair. The forum is made up of K-12 educational publishers from IPA members as well direct member educational publishers in markets without a local IPA member. The IPA has 107 members in 85 countries.
The forum is the organization's dedicated space bringing together professional K-12 educational publishers from around the world, hosting a mix of face to face and virtual meetings throughout the year covering sector best practices, as well policy developments at national, regional and international level.
"Educational publishers bring choice, and locally adapted resources into the classroom through collaboration with governments and teachers," Pienkoss said. "Whether those resources are digital or textbook based, or a mix of the two, we have a vital role to play. I am aware I take this role at a crucial time, more governments are restricting freedom to publish by nationalizing educational publishing or developing their own platforms."
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Alice Springs "has become one of Australia's most prolific literary towns," ABC News reported, noting that from Nevil Shute's A Town Like Alice to Bruce Chatwin's The Songlines, the town "has long captured the imagination of writers seeking solitude, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the Australian landscape."
Bronwyn Druce, manager of Red Kangaroo Books, said, "A Town Like Alice and Songlines are both classics and still selling strong, but there are now more books being published, particularly by First Nations authors, telling their own stories of growing up and living on Arrernte country."
Named Australian Bookseller of the Year in 2023, Red Kangaroo Books is the only bricks-and-mortar bookshop within a 900-mile radius and it plays a central role in supporting local writers, ABC News noted, adding that Central Australia "is home to its own Indigenous publishing house, alongside an active Northern Territory Writers Centre, which regularly hosts readings and storytelling events--often outdoors, under the stars."
"I can only separate nonfiction and fiction. In the kids' top 10, eight books are by First Nations authors and local," Druce said.