Every May, the UK celebrates the power of storytelling with National Share-A-Story Month (NSSM)—a month-long festival aimed at inspiring a love of reading in children and young people. Spearheaded by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG), this annual event brings schools, libraries, families, and communities together to share stories that spark imagination and nurture lifelong reading habits.
📖 This Year’s Theme: Changing the World, One Book at a Time
In 2025, NSSM shines a spotlight on environmental awareness with the inspiring theme “Changing the World, One Book at a Time.” This year’s focus is all about how stories can empower children to take action for the planet and their communities. The FCBG has curated a special booklist that includes a wide range of titles—from picture books and middle-grade novels to poetry and graphic novels—all touching on ecological issues, climate change, conservation, and sustainability.
These books are chosen not just to inform but to encourage hope and a sense of agency in young readers, showing how even small actions can have a big impact.
🌍 Events and Competitions
NSSM 2025 features several exciting ways for young readers and educators to get involved:
Community Reading Event Competition
Schools, libraries, and community groups are encouraged to host outdoor storytelling sessions that bring books to life in natural settings. Winning entries will receive bundles of books and a visit from popular children’s authors Anna Goodall and Lucy McRobert. The deadline to submit entries is June 23, 2025.
Blue’s Planet Competition
Inspired by the “Blue’s Planet” series, this competition invites children to become environmental reporters, documenting real-world ecological stories from their local areas. Whether through writing, drawing, or video, the goal is to encourage children to engage with environmental issues creatively and critically.
📚 Get Involved
Anyone can take part in NSSM. Here are a few easy ways to join in:
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Host a Storytelling Event: Organize a reading session at your school, library, or community space.
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Use the Official Booklist: Choose from the FCBG’s recommended titles to guide your storytelling activities.
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Involve Your Family: Read together at home and discuss how the stories relate to the environment and real-world action.
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Join the Competitions: Encourage children to participate and express their ideas through stories, art, or community engagement.
📦 Resources Available
To support teachers, librarians, and parents, the FCBG provides downloadable resources, planning guides, and promotional materials on their official website. These are designed to make organizing NSSM activities easy and impactful.
Explore the booklist and find event details here: FCBG National Share-A-Story Month 2025 Resources
By sharing stories that matter, National Share-A-Story Month 2025 reminds us that books don’t just entertain—they can inspire real-world change. So pick up a book, gather an audience, and share a story that just might change the world.