Children's Book Industry Conference to Focus on Engaging Young Readers

The Bookseller Children’s Conference, scheduled for Monday, November 9, will focus on enhancing engagement with young readers as the National Year of Reading approaches its conclusion. The day's theme, "Reaching, Recruiting and Retaining Readers," aims to build on the campaign's momentum leading up to 2026.

David Hayman, director of the National Year of Reading, will update attendees on the campaign's impact and legacy, supported by a panel discussing its effectiveness. Notable initiatives from the book industry will also be highlighted, including the Phoenix Fest comics festival and Bonnier Books Children’s Group's use of audience insights to shape its strategies. A discussion on reaching underserved communities and creators is also planned.

The conference will feature insights from various children's media sectors. Lydia Mossahebi from BBC Children’s and Education will discuss the broadcaster’s YouTube strategy, while other panels will explore how the TV, games, and audio industries ensure accessibility in children’s content. Additionally, Beano Brain’s Helenor Gilmour will present findings on the preferences of Generation Alpha regarding books and brands.

Significantly, the conference will celebrate the establishment of the Children’s Booker Prize, with manager Lisa Macdonald sharing the prize's plans for engaging children in its first year. For the first time, young attendees will express their expectations from books directly to the industry.

Looking beyond 2026, attendees will take part in a session on AI-powered book discovery and discuss upcoming trends in children’s and young adult publishing with industry experts. Philip Stone from NielsenIQ BookData will share the latest sales and audience insights from the UK market, examining future international trends.

Keynote speakers include Francesca Dow, managing director of Penguin Random House Children’s, and Patrice Lawrence, the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate, both of whom will discuss their initiatives to inspire the next generation of readers.

The conference will take place at the Soho Theatre in Walthamstow, with lower ticket prices to encourage broader participation from the children's book industry. Additional details and ticketing information can be found on the conference website.