Children from across the UK have been rewarded for their imagination after thousands took part in a national reading competition challenging them to review their favourite book in just 25 words.
High street retailer TGJones has announced the winners of its Bitesize Bookworms competition, launched in support of the National Year of Reading 2026, with three young readers each earning £4,000 worth of books and stationery for their schools.
The challenge invited primary school children aged between five and 12 to describe their favourite book in no more than 25 words, with judging carried out by broadcaster Richard Madeley, author and presenter Judy Finnigan, rapper and educator MC Grammar, and TGJones chief executive Alex Willson.
Winning entries ranged from clever poetry to laugh-out-loud observations.
In the Reception to Year 2 category, Noah impressed the judges with his rhyming review of Roald Dahl’s The Witches.
He wrote: “Plotting and potions for bad and good. Beware of those witches in your neighbourhood! Wicked fear, wickeder joy, grief to grandma to hero mouse boy.”
Year 4 pupil Stanley claimed top spot in the middle age group with his review of The BFG, describing it as “the most whizzpopping, funbumtious book”, adding that he loved the giant’s “silly langwitch”.
Meanwhile, Year 5 winner Lyla praised The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby with a review that read: “It’s a funny and relatable book; my cat judgementally stared at me while I laughed loudly, snorted juice everywhere, and missed every bedtime until completed.”
Each overall winner will receive a £200 TGJones gift card, while their schools will benefit from a £4,000 package of books and stationery. Three runners-up in each age category will receive a £50 gift card along with £500 worth of equipment for their schools.
The competition forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026, a Department for Education initiative delivered with the National Literacy Trust to encourage more people to discover the enjoyment of reading.
Alex Willson, chief executive of TGJones, said: “Nothing is more creative than a child’s imagination and we wanted to celebrate that unfiltered, accidental comedy that comes from a child giving their honest opinion about their favourite book – and the winners of our competition provided us with just that.
“Reading is so important for a child’s development, and as partners of the National Year of Reading 2026 we hope this campaign has encouraged more children to pick up their favourite book.”
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading 2026, added: “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 TGJones and all of our partners for their support and their shared commitment to making reading a relevant and rewarding part of everyday life.”
TGJones will continue its support for the National Year of Reading throughout 2026, including giving away 50,000 exclusive copies of The Beano in stores this July, as it aims to inspire even more children to discover the pleasure of reading.
