Children’s Literature News January 2026
Children’s book news for January 2026: festivals, awards, school publishing, comics events, national reading policy, literacy campaigns and major competitions shaping children’s and YA books across the UK.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Jess Bradley is a British author and illustrator known for her work in children’s books and comics. She has contributed to a range of publications, including puzzle and activity books, as well as comic strips for children’s magazines. Bradley is the creator of the comic strip Squid Bits, which appears in the weekly comic magazine The Phoenix.
In addition to her comics work, Bradley has written and illustrated several children’s books. Her titles include Draw With Me, Dad! and Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Stuff. She has also illustrated for other authors, providing artwork for books such as World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady.
Bradley’s illustrations are characterised by a playful and accessible style, appealing to younger readers and those interested in drawing. She has worked with publishers such as Michael O’Mara Books and Scholastic.
In 2023, Jess Bradley’s comic strip Squid Bits continued its regular run in The Phoenix magazine.
Children’s book news for January 2026: festivals, awards, school publishing, comics events, national reading policy, literacy campaigns and major competitions shaping children’s and YA books across the UK.
Children’s books of the year 2025 – our team has picked a shortlist of great children’s and teen titles published in the last 12 months, with fiction, non-fiction and picture books for 3-18 years and a diverse range of prose, poetry and graphic novels. Vote now!
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Stone Age, Bronze Age & Iron Age themed children’s books including titles by Bridget Marzo, Raymond Briggs, Kathleen Fidler, Tom Palmer, Marcia Williams, Satoshi Kitamura, Sophie Kirtley, Terry Deary, Ben Lerwill & more.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
Picture books for the under 5s | Books for Reception | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11