TACT Launch National Year of Reading With Celebrated Author
TACT Fostering have kicked off a year-long programme of reading activities and engagement for young people, with a dedicated session from children’s author and illustrator, Nick Sharratt.
The celebrated illustrator for Jacqueline Wilson, and author in his own right for books such as Shark in the Park, lead an online draw-along for TACT’s young people on 18th February – which was both fun and inspirational. He took the participants through how to create texture and depth, and how to draw facial features with expressions. Throughout the session he told stories about some of the characters he’d created and how his childhood inspired his drawings.
A TACT foster carer, who joined the online session, noticed a positive change in a young person in their care: “He has loved learning to draw – and sessions like this have been incredible for his development and his confidence. He now loves drawing and is now proud of all his work.”
The session forms part of a wider programme of events and activities that have been devised and planned by TACT’s dedicated Education Service, to coincide with the National Year of Reading campaign.
Tina Bull, one of TACT’s Education Advisory Teachers, said: “Sessions like this, particularly when we can call on established writers and illustrators, are wonderfully inspiring for our young people. This is a fantastic start to our National Year of Reading programme of events, and we would like to thank Nick wholeheartedly for his time, thoughtfulness and energy!
“Throughout our sessions, if we can inspire just one of our young people to read more regularly or more widely, the work and planning for our year-long calendar of activities will have been worth it.”
“Throughout our sessions, if we can inspire just one of our young people to read more regularly or more widely, the work and planning for our year-long calendar of activities will have been worth it.”
Tina Bull, TACT Education Advisory Teacher
Future sessions planned for 2026 include Mr Gum writer Andy Stanton, and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner, Elle McNicoll. In addition to various events, competitions and book readings, TACT are also providing young people with £10 book vouchers – to help encourage and nurture a love of reading.
The National Year of Reading is a campaign aimed at bringing the joy back to reading for children and young people. It’s not an annual event. In fact, there has only been two other campaigns; in 1998 and 2008. In 2026, with smartphones and AI taking hold of our younger generations, the act of reading has taken a backseat. According to The National Literacy Trust, only 1 in 3 children and young people aged 3-18 currently enjoy reading in their free time, and only 1 in 5 read daily.
Research undertaken by the Department for Education has shown that children who are confident readers by the end of primary school can earn £65,000+ more over their lifetime compared to non-readers.
The theme for the 2026 campaign is called ‘Go All In’ – which encourages young people to read about their hobbies, interests and passions – including music, films, food and sport – using a wide range of different formats to make reading more culturally relevant.
Read more about our National Year of Reading programme of events.
Read more about our Education Service.
Our Young People’s ‘Draw-along’ art
Feedback from our young people and foster carers
“It was really fun and I learnt to draw the heads first. Can we do more of them?” – TACT Young Person
“It was brilliant – thanks for your time Nick. You gave me ideas and I now know how to draw people with confidence. I am excited to see more of your amazing work and tell all my friends and teachers about our session!” – TACT Young Person
“I think you are amazing – really great artist Nick, and I loved learning how to draw animals and now I have lots of new ideas for drawing pictures.” – TACT Young Person
“Thanks for everything you are doing. We are excited to see what’s next!” – TACT Foster Carer
“He has loved learning to draw and sessions like this have been incredible for his development and his confidence. He now loves drawing and is now proud of all his work.” – TACT Foster Carer
“I just want to say thank you for yesterday, ‘V’ had an amazing time learning from Nick.” – TACT Foster Carer
“Thanks so much for arranging this special event. The children can’t wait to tell their teachers!” – TACT Foster Carer
“Thank you so much for organising the draw along. I personally enjoyed it – ‘C’ did too once he had got into it.” – TACT Foster Carer