Book schemes for schools – our recommendations
Book fairs are a great way to encourage pupils to take ownership of their reading choices – literally. Studies have shown that children and teens are far more likely to read a book and finish a book that they have chosen and purchased themselves. Book fairs, either arranged through national chains or through local bookshop outlets, can be a great way to bring the book-buying and browsing experience to your school.
Below is a list of popular book fair providers who will visit schools and set up a bookshop experience in your assembly hall, sports hall, library or classrooms. Perhaps consider making an event of this, by combining your book fair week with times for parents to visit after school, author visits, speaking and listening engagements, careers related talks, extended library sessions and literary activities.
- Scholastic Book Club – Information and teachers and parents.
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Travelling Book fair
- Your local Waterstones branch may well be happy to set up a bespoke book fair at your school in exchange for commission in the form of free children’s books for your school. Well worth looking into.
- Usborne Book fairs
- BookBuzz – books for your Year 7 & 8 pupils
- Book Trust School Library Book Pack for secondary school libraries. Not running in 2023.
- Oxford Owl runs a free eBook scheme for children aged 3-11 years old.
- Morrisons supermarket offers a free books scheme – “Little Library” to promote books to disadvantaged children.
This page was last updated on .
If you found this page useful, why not have a look at our list on UK children’s book publishers, our list of writing competitions for children and teens, and our list of oracy schemes and contests for schools?
