The Summer Reading Challenge 2026, delivered by the Reading Agency, in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK, is almost here! Launching in June in Scotland and July in England and Wales, the Challenge invites children to embark on an exciting reading journey, either through their local library or online. This year’s theme, Read to the Beat!, celebrates the joy of music and the power it has to move, inspire, and connect us – all through the magic of reading. This year’s Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge collection features 55 captivating titles for different reading levels, spanning early readers, and middle grade titles, as well as dyslexia-friendly titles. With a rich mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels, the collection has been carefully curated to get young readers tapping their feet and turning pages. The books will be available to borrow for free from public libraries.
Every year, the Summer Reading Challenge plays a vital role in keeping children excited about books. This year’s collection is particularly special as it celebrates the universal language of music – from drumming and dancing to orchestras, opera, rap, K-pop and everything in between. We are proud to work with libraries and publishers to bring these fantastic books to children across the UK.
Read to the Beat! 2026 Book Collection
For younger readers (ages 4–7)
The Very Noisy House – Sally Nicholls, illustrated by Gosia Herba
Music of the Mountains – Sabrina Shah, illustrated by Manal Mirza
The Missing Piece – Jordan Stephens, illustrated by Beth Suzanna
Busy Little Fingers: Music – Eva Wong Nava, illustrated by Eleonora Marton
Some Bears – Christian Foley, illustrated by Rob Turner
T\ree Whispers – Mandy Ross, illustrated by Juliana Oakley
My Little Drummer – Sian Radford, illustrated by Gwen Millward
Bhangra Boogie – Hena Khan, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
1, 2, 3, Do the Unicorn – Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
ABC of Opera: Romantic – Mark Llewelyn Evans, illustrated by Karl Davies
Listening to the Quiet – Cassie Silva, illustrated by Frances Ives
The Life-Changing Magic of Drumming – Nandi Bushell, illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier
The Elephant and the Piano – Colette Hiller, illustrated by Nabila Adani
Songs in the Shade of the Cherry Tree – Nathalie Soussana, illustrated by QU Lan
The Piano – Joaquin Camp
The Rock Family Band – Robert Tregoning, illustrated by Laura Brenlla
The Twirly Wiggly Dance – Farrah Riaz, illustrated by Navya Raju
Little Sheku and the Animal Orchestra – Sheku Kanneh-Mason, illustrated by Rekha Salin
The Wonder – Tom Percival
But Dancing is for Girls! – Gyasi Sheppy, illustrated by Ola Snimshchikova
Coorie Doon – Jackie Kay, illustrated by Jill Calder
Skipping to Sammy’s Beat – Coral Vass, illustrated by Blithe Fielden
Marching Band – Kael Tudor, illustrated by Kate Hindley
Meet the Mubbles – Liz Pichon
Carnival Queen – Donette Williams-Harry, illustrated by Amélie-Anne Calmo
All the Wonderful Ways to Move – Laura Baker, illustrated by Sandra de la Prada
Doggy Dance Off – Steve Smallman, illustrated by Robert Starling
Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae, illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara
The Big Time Boogie-Woogie Animal Band – Giles Andreae, illustrated by Nick East
The Paper Piano – Rachel Ip, illustrated by Natelle Quek
For older readers (ages 8–11)
I Tell Myself I’m Awesome – Joshua Seigal, illustrated by Chris Piascik
Raising the Roof – Jack Pepper, illustrated by Michele Bruttomesso
Girl on the Fly – Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl
Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music
The Color of Sound – Emily Barth Isler
Hari Kumar: Ultimate Superstar – Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Mamta Singh
Melody Queen – Puneet Bhandal
Glory Days in New Orleans! – Bïa, illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume
Gordon Starts a Band – Alex Latimer
Isadora Moon and the Pop Stars – Harriet Muncaster
Space Band – Tom Fletcher
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde – Jeff Kinney
Lil’ Muffin Drops the Mic – Romesh Ranganathan, illustrated by James Lancett
Happy Hills: Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens – Sophy Henn
The Adventures of Rap Kid – MC Grammar
The Magic Piano: Dahlia and the Land Without Music – James B Partridge, illustrated by Laura Wood
Skylar and the K-Pop Head Teacher – Luan Goldie
You VS the Poison Plot – Josh Hicks
My School Musical and Other Punishments – Catherine Wilkins, illustrated by Katie Abey
Running My Own Race – Abena Eyeson
Hunt for the Golden Scarab – M. G. Leonard, illustrated by Manuel Sumberac
The Piano at the Station – Helen Rutter, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Kofi and the Brand New Vibe – Jeffrey Boakye
How to Build an Orchestra – Mary Auld, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Find out more about the Challenge by visiting the official Summer Reading Challenge website for competitions, book recommendations, and activities throughout the year.
The Read to the Beat! Summer Reading Challenge launches on Saturday 20 June 2026 in Scotland and online, and on Saturday 4 July 2026 in England and Wales. Children can sign up at their local library to join the adventure and discover how music and stories make the world come alive.
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