Peters

The 8th Annual Reflecting Realities Report is out now, showing progress in ethnic representation in children’s books and urging publishers to keep inclusion as a standard practice. https://clpe.org.uk/research/clpe-reflecting-realities-survey-ethnic-representation-within-uk-childrens-literature-3

Delighted to have Phoenix Brothers by Sita Brahmachari on the Teen Fiction longlist - part of our Super Readable Rollercoasters series from @oxfordsecondary.bsky.social

We're delighted to be sponsoring @ascelnetwork.bsky.social's upcoming virtual conference on 19 November!

We were also delighted to welcome the ASCEL team to our bookshop earlier this month, discussing ways we can work alongside one another to ensure readers stay at the heart of what we do.

Thanks so much for coming to see us!

Thrilled to see The Coming of the Iron Man, illustrated by @mini3grey.bsky.social, Letters to a Monster, illustrated by #SarahWarburton and Anya's Quest, illustrated by #JaneRay, all longlisted for @peters-books.bsky.social Children's Book of the Year! 📚✨

So delighted by this longlist! Especially spotting the brilliant RUNNING MY OWN RACE by @eyesab2.bsky.social. Have you read it yet??

We're delighted to announce @peters-books.bsky.social as sponsors of our conference in November

For over 90 years Peters has worked with libraries and schools across the UK helping children discover a love of reading

To celebrate our new partnership we went behind the scenes at the Peters bookshop

So thrilled to discover that ESCAPE ROOM: GAME ZERO has been longlisted for the Peters Children's Book of the Year! Huge thanks @peters-books.bsky.social and congratulations to all the longlisted authors!

🌟Peters Children's Book of the Year 2026 Longlist reveal!🌟

Awarded annually to celebrate the best children’s fiction and non-fiction published in the UK, longlists have been announced in four categories: Picture Books, Junior Fiction, Teen Fiction and Non-Fiction 📚

peters.co.uk/news-page/re...

Peters' Book of the Week is An Autumn Day for Bear. The image shows the book jacket, which has a soft autumnal paint palette of golds, browns, reds and blues, with falling leaves against a cloudy blue sky. There is an expressive illustrations of a bear dancing with two tree branches in each paw. On a tree stump beside the tree is a small mouse, watching the bear dance. Next to the book jacket is the review from Emma, a Children's Librarian at Peters. She says: "A joyful introduction to Autumn with expressive characters and lively illustrations. It would be lovely to read aloud and perfect for a seasonal story time."

Delight in the changing season with our latest Book of the Week, An Autumn Day for Bear, by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady Macdonald Denton! 🍂📚

Read Children's Librarian Emma's full review here: peters.co.uk/books-of-the...

@walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

For World Mental Health Day, our team joined in with @literacy-trust.bsky.social's #Take10ToRead, taking over our Reading Cafe and bookshop!

You can find out more about the campaign including year-round resources here: literacytrust.org.uk/take-10/ 📚

Vital reading from @ibc-reads.bsky.social, on diversity and representation in UK children's books (ages 1–9)👇

In a special project close to our hearts, last week saw the opening of 'Ray's Library' at Stanton Cross Primary School, in memory of our former Managing Director Ray Dyer.

Thanks to @cressidacowell.bsky.social for leading the heart-warming opening ceremony

peters.co.uk/news-page/ra...

An accessible, punchy read, our latest Book of the week, The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni ✨

A funny, warm, heartfelt novel, our new Book of the week is The Last Bard by Maz Evans 🎭

Published by @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social

Pink logo for The Reading Agency in top left, blue background with white stripes coming from the logo in the centre which says Happy Book Club Day UK.

Today is #BookClubDayUK (the perfect day for our 1st post)!

It's a day for celebrating the power of shared reading & to hopefully encourage those not in a #bookclub, to join one.

Find out about all of the ways you can get involved, including all of the offers for your club🔗https://bit.ly/3V6pmhz

🎉 Get up to £500 of books when you sign up with Accessit Library!
Accessit have partnered with Peters to help you upgrade your library software and stock up on new books — without stretching your budget.
Find out more 👉 accessitlibrary.com/bonus-books/
T&Cs apply. UK only. Ends 30th September 2025

When Sabrina and Jalaal paths cross it's love at first sight, but can they overcome differences of family, culture and religion to stay together?

Our new Book of the week is debut YA romance novel, Love On Sight by Asli Jensen ❤️

Published by @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social

🌟 Upcoming webinar 🌟

Explore the world of middle-grade plus! This often-overlooked category provides choice for young readers who are ready for more complexity than middle grade, but for whom themes in YA would be unsuitable.

Learn more and register today: follettsoftware.com/.../middle-g...

Run a book club in your school or library? Then save the date!

On Thursday 11 September, @readingagency.bsky.social is leading #BookClubDayUK, a celebration of the benefits of book clubs.

Find out how to get involved: bookclubhub.co.uk/news/join-in...

READERS - READY! 📚💥🏋🏾

Service Delivery Manager Chris presents our Book of the Week, Gladiators Ready!, the official companion guide to the hit entertainment show.

Mind-blowing stats and plenty of action photos make for a fun read for fans and newcomers. So, libraries and schools - ARE YOU READY? 📖🥊

Celebrating 90 years of reaching generations of readers✨

Here's a look back at the first ever J S Peters bookshop when it opened in Birmingham in 1935. As we look to our future, we're excited to continue to work with librarians, teachers and others who champion reading for pleasure! 📚

A quote from author Mark Billingham, in white font against a navy blue background. The quote reads: "Many libraries are the heart and soul of local communities, providing invaluable resources, safe havens and, above all, places where people can connect - with information, with each other and, of course, with the endless number of imagined worlds on their bookshelves."

Birmingham-born author Mark Billingham joins us for The Librarians Q&A, where librarians ask the questions!

We asked Mark about his relationship with libraries growing up. He's a passionate advocate for libraries in his hometown of Birmingham 📚

So glad #TinyTiger is Book of the Week… thank you Peters Books for this geogeous review!!
🐯🔥
So glad you enjoyed the “unexpected, hilarious twist at the end” as well 🧡

A charming tale that’s perfect for story time, our latest Book of the week is No Swimming by Ross Collins 🐰

peters.co.uk/books-of-the...

A delight to have @robwaltonwriter.bsky.social on our blog this summer!

We spoke about his new imaginative short story collection for children, Please Don't Read The Footnotes Please, published by @theemmapress.bsky.social.

Read it here: peters.co.uk/news-page/q-...

@theemmapress.bsky.social @peters-books.bsky.social Peters do many wonderful things, including supplying books to the UK’s schools and libraries. They were kind enough to interview me, and publish my answers to their questions. #libraries #librarians ##schoollibraries #scunthorpe

Black and white image of Peters bookshop from the early 1980s. At the front of the image, there is an arrangement of short bookcases stacked with titles. In the background, there is tall shelving with Ladybird books. Illustration mobiles hang from the ceiling.

Colour image of two long rows of tall bookshelves. Hanging from the ceiling in the top centre of the image is a pink sign saying 'Junior Fiction'. At the end of the row are more bookshelves, lined with colourful books.

Peters bookshop: early 80s vs now 📚

Our bookshop has been through many changes over the years. Now, we have a huge of wealth of books for schools and libraries, including educational titles, young adult fiction, graphic novels and more!

Our Book of the Week is a ROAR-some picture book from the winning duo Smriti Halls and Steve Small!

peters.co.uk/books-of-the...

@smritihallsauthor.bsky.social

We’re saddened to hear the loss of Allan Ahlberg, beloved by all ages for his jolly, witty and timeless tales.

Our thoughts are with his family during this time.