This grant is open to UK independent bookshops with a dedicated children’s book section. Applicants do not need to operate exclusively as a children’s only bookshop to apply. The sale of books must be the Applicant’s primary source of income. Department stores, supermarkets, chain bookshops and any business operating more than 15 stores/outlets (including related or affiliated entities) are not eligible to apply.
Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant
Supporting independent bookshops in the National Year of Reading
As part of Penguin Random House UK’s commitment to the National Year of Reading, we are proud to launch the Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant 2026 – a major new initiative to support independent bookshops in their important work of inspiring young people to enjoy reading.
From first picture books to the newest Young Adult series, independent bookshops play a vital role in introducing young people to books and helping to build lifelong reading habits.
With rates of reading for pleasure among children and young people at a 20-year low, Penguin is investing £150,000 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.
About the grant
The Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant will fund projects that help children and young people develop a positive, lasting relationship with books.
Independent bookshops can apply for funding between £1,500-£5,000 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
Projects could include (but are not limited to):
- Reading clubs, workshops or holiday programmes
- Outreach initiatives with schools, libraries or community groups
- Children and young people’s events, author visits and festivals
- In-store or community installations that celebrate reading
- Creative activations that remove barriers to reading
- Book gifting programmes
- Events that use specific hobbies and interest areas as a route to introduce young people to books
All funded activity must be free of charge for children, young people and their families to participate in. We recommend sharing your proposal with your target audience so feedback from children and young people can inform your application.
In line with the National Year of Reading’s priorities, projects that support parents and carers of children aged 0–5, boys aged 10–16, and families in disadvantaged communities are of particular interest, though proposals targeting any group of young people are welcome.
The grant will not support:
- In-store improvements or renovations such as furniture purchases or book display stands
- Existing, funded initiatives that currently already run without this support
Inspirational case studies
In 2025, Penguin Australia ran a similar and highly successful bookseller grants programme to address local reading for pleasure challenges. Below is a selection of their successful applications for inspiration.
Fathers and children reading together
In partnership with Raising Literacy Australia, Mostly Books delivered a programme supporting fathers to build confidence reading with their children. Through a series of face-to-face workshops, families received guidance on choosing books, storytelling techniques and playful reading at home. Each session included a book giveaway and connections to local library services, helping families sustain their reading journey beyond the workshops.
Young readers as reviewers
The Sun Bookshop revived its popular Reviewers Club, inviting children to write short reviews of books they had read. Young reviewers received a new book in return, with their reviews shared online and via QR codes in-store. The project empowered children to see their opinions valued, encouraged peer-to-peer recommendation, and positioned reading as a way to join wider cultural conversations.
A summer reading challenge
Megalong Books created a summer reading challenge to keep children reading during the school holidays. With age-appropriate targets, regular in-store check-ins and a celebratory awards event, the programme made reading fun, social and visible, while strengthening ongoing relationships between families and their local bookshop.
Key dates
- Applications open: Tuesday 10th February
- Applications close: 11.59pm, Tuesday 31st March
- Successful applicants notified by: Thursday 30th April
- Projects delivered by: Thursday 31st December 2026
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
How do I apply for a grant?
Complete the online application form sharing the details of your proposed project by Tuesday 31st March, 11.59pm. This includes reading and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions for the grant. Bookshops may only submit one application, and Penguin’s decision in relation to eligibility, funding awards and award amounts shall be final.
How much can I apply for?
Bookshops must apply for an amount between £1,500 and £5,000. Applications outside this range will not be considered. Applicants are required to include a budget setting out how the funding will be allocated and demonstrating that the amount requested is appropriate to the scale and scope of the proposed activity.
How will my application be scored?
We will be assessing applications on five criteria: innovation, impact & reach, inclusivity & accessibility, clarity of plan, and value for money. Applications will be judged by a panel of judges within Penguin Random House.
Can I submit more than one application?
No. Only one application submission is permitted per independent bookshop. If you are part of an independent bookshop that operates multiple stores but fewer than 15 in total, each individual store can submit a maximum of one application.
Can I submit an application in partnership with another independent bookshop?
Yes. We encourage collaboration with other organisations that can support young readers including other bookshops, libraries, businesses, charities or service providers.
Can I submit an application in another format?
Applicants who require an alternative application format for accessibility reasons should contact Penguin at NationalYearofReading@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Applications submitted in other formats for any other reason will not be considered.
When does my project need to be delivered by?
Projects should be delivered during the National Year of Reading which ends on 31 December 2026. Please get in touch with Penguin at NationalYearofReading@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk to discuss any specific circumstances.
What one tip would you give applicants?
We recommend involving children and young people in shaping your application and letting us know where their ideas have been sought. Share your idea with your target audience and see what they have to say!