Bookbag receives a Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant

Earlier this year Bookbag pitched for a Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant 2026 - Penguin Books UK | Official Site, a major project to support bookshops to deliver creative projects that encourage children and young people to discover books they love, feel connected to their local community, and build a lifelong relationship with reading. The grant was over subscribed, so we're especially happy to have been chosen as one of 44 bookshops around the UK, and even happier that our project will benefit pupils at St Sidwell's C of E School and another Devon primary (tba).

Our idea was to adapt our book subscription model for children so that they choose books for each other. Pupils will be encouraged to write down three words to describe themselves, their hobbies or likes, and these will then be shared with children from a partner school. From a pop-up Bookbag bookshop we take into the schools, children will be supported in choosing a book for another child based on their three descriptive words, and write a handwritten note explaining the choice. The personalised book will then be wrapped and gifted to the relevant child, alongside the note.

This project will promote empathy and engagement with books, help children to develop their recommendation skills and understand how real-life interests can act as entry points into books. The initiative aims to create a meaningful and memorable experience, showing independent bookshops as fun spaces, and making reading feel special while increasing access to books for the children at St Sidwell's C of E. By working alongside the schools we can make sure the books we bring are reflective of their diverse student communities, so that each child sees themselves in the stories.  Thanks to the parent's association and teachers at St Sidwell's for their positive response to the project, which will take place in the autumn term.

We'll share news of the project as we go! What would your 3 words be?