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TGJones has launched a nationwide literary-themed contest for Lanarkshire primary schoolchildren and primary schools, with a total prize value of over £17,000 up for grabs.
The ‘Bitesize Bookworms’ competition supports the National Year of Reading 2026, the biggest campaign in a generation designed to inspire everyone to discover a passion for reading and embed it into our everyday lives.
A Department for Education initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust, the National Year of Reading is delivered with the support of major sponsors and partners, including TG Jones.
Primary school children across Lanarkshire will be asked to share what they love about their favourite book – in 25 words or less.
Each winner will receive a £200 TGJones Gift Card, plus £4000 of books and stationery for their school, while runners-up will win a £50 TGJones Gift Card and £500 of equipment for their school.
All entrants will be in with a chance of winning the huge prize, with three winners and nine runners-up to be selected by an expert panel of literary judges, including primary school teacher turned rapper MC Grammar, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
Competition entries will be split across three primary school age groups, with one winner and three runners-up from each group: Reception – Primary 1-3; Year Three – Primary 4-5; and Year Five – Primary 6-7.
The competition has been launched after a poll of 1500 schoolchildren between the ages of five and 12 years old found they spend over 6.8 hours a week reading, with an average of 3.8 hours spent reading for pleasure, and 3 hours a week spent reading for homework.
This trumps time spent on other activities including gaming (five-and-a-half hours a week), playing outside (6.2 hours) and even chatting with their friends (5.8 hours).
The National Year of Reading aims to change the perception of reading, and redefine it as a modern, relevant and social activity.
The competition adds to the momentum, providing an opportunity to encourage new readers to pick up a book, and share their recommendations with others to spark a conversation about reading.
David Hayman, director of the National Year of Reading 2026, said: “Reading has the power to open doors, spark imagination and build confidence in every child.
“Through the National Year of Reading 2026, we’re encouraging families, schools and communities to rediscover the joy of books and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
“We’re incredibly grateful to TG Jones and all of our partners for their support and their shared commitment to making reading a relevant and rewarding part of everyday life.”
Alex Willson, CEO of TGJones and head judge of Bitesize Bookworms, added: “Nothing is more creative than a child’s imagination and we want to celebrate that unfiltered, accidental comedy that comes from a child giving their honest opinion about their favourite book.
“Reading is so important for a child’s development, and as partners of the National Year of Reading 2026 we hope this campaign encourages more children to pick up their favourite book.”
Lanarkshire schoolchildren who want to share why they love their favourite books can enter via the online entry page, which remains open until 23.59pm on Friday, June 5.
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