At Reading Fairy, everything we do is guided by one simple belief: every child deserves the magic of books.
In 2026, the National Year of Reading, this mission matters more than ever. As reading for pleasure continues
to decline and literacy gaps widen, there is a powerful way we can all help: by sharing the books we love
with children who might not otherwise have access to them.
That is why we are proud to relaunch Share Your Shelves, a community-led campaign that encourages kindness,
connection, and a love of reading through shared books.
What is Share Your Shelves?
Share Your Shelves is a simple but meaningful initiative that invites families, book lovers, schools, and
communities to pass on the joy of reading.
- Take gently used books that your children have grown out of
- Place them in thoughtful public locations such as parks, community spaces, or waiting areas
- Include a short note or bookmark explaining that the book is a gift
- Share your book drop on social media using the hashtag Share Your Shelves to inspire others
Every book shared has the potential to become a child’s first favourite story, a spark of imagination,
or a moment of joy in an unexpected place.
Why It Matters in 2026
Books are about so much more than reading skills. They help children build vocabulary, develop confidence,
explore new worlds, and discover a lifelong love of learning.
In the National Year of Reading, it is more important than ever to make books visible, accessible, and joyful.
Share Your Shelves helps remove barriers to reading by placing books directly into the hands of children and
families within their everyday environments.
One small act of generosity can make a lasting difference.
How You Can Get Involved
Joining Share Your Shelves is easy, and anyone can take part.
- Choose books your child has loved and no longer reads
- Protect the book and add a friendly message inside
- Leave it somewhere it can be safely discovered
- Share a photo or story online using Share Your Shelves and tag Reading Fairy
- Encourage friends, schools, or local groups to join in
Every shared book helps grow a culture where reading is celebrated, valued, and enjoyed.
Let’s Grow the Movement
Share Your Shelves is about more than books on benches. It is about community, generosity, and belief in every
child’s right to read.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, carer, or book lover, you can be part of this movement. By sharing stories,
we share opportunity, imagination, and futures.
Let’s make 2026 the year we open our shelves and our hearts to reading.
