Sara Pascoe has launched a new campaign encouraging families to turn their train journeys into reading time this summer.
The comedian and host of the Weirdos Book Club podcast, a book review podcast now in its fifth season, kicked off the campaign today by treating schoolchildren to pop-up reading sessions on trains travelling between London, York and Leeds.
Four train operating companies – LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express – have teamed up with The Reading Agency, a UK charity that has hosted the annual Summer Reading Challenge since 1999, which aims to keep children reading outside the classroom over the school holidays.
Colleagues working for the four train operating companies are now planning to hand out tens of thousands of free Summer Reading Challenge activity packs to families over the coming months. Each one contains a copy of Storytime Magazine, sticker booklet, activity sheet, certificate and other fun resources to inspire children aged 4–11 to read more outside of the classroom.
The activity packs will be available on board hundreds of participating services and stations, from Edinburgh to Margate and from Newcastle to London, making it easy for children to get involved wherever their journey begins.
With the government backing 2026 as the National Year of Reading, the initiative comes at a crucial time for families.
New research from The Reading Agency shows nearly two-thirds (64%) of parents are worried about children being bored during the summer holidays and over half (51%) struggle to keep them engaged and stimulated. At the same time, over two-thirds (68%) say the rising cost of summer activities puts pressure on their family.
As families look for affordable ways to keep children entertained and connected, the research highlights reading as a simple, attainable activity that can positively support children’s wellbeing.
More than four in five parents (84%) believe reading benefits their child’s mental wellbeing, while 87% say it helps children build confidence or emotional skills. Meanwhile, four in five (80%) say getting lost in books helps children feel less lonely.
Reading has also been shown to improve children’s connection to others, with 71% of parents saying their child is more likely to read if their friends are reading.
This is the first partnership of its kind between all four rail companies, supporting families looking for affordable and enriching ways to spend time together this summer. With railcards and family fares available across the networks, travelling by train offers a convenient way to access cultural destinations and days out. By encouraging reading enroute, this initiative helps make every journey part of the adventure.
Karen Napier MBE, Chief Executive at The Reading Agency, said:
“The Summer Reading Challenge is all about helping children discover the joy of reading in ways that feel fun and easy. By working in partnership with LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express, we’re reaching families where they are and turning every journey into an opportunity for imagination, creativity and shared family moments.
“It’s a powerful way to help more children enjoy reading, wherever the summer takes them.”
Sara Pascoe, comedian and host of the Weirdos Book Club podcast, said:
“I’ve always loved reading when I’m travelling. It has a brilliant way of making the journey feel like part of the adventure rather than just the bit in between. It was such a joy to surprise children on the train, share stories together and see children getting excited about the books.
“It’s such a simple idea, but turning travel time into reading time is a lovely, easy way to keep kids entertained this summer and help them discover the fun of reading wherever they are.”
The Rail Minister Lord Hendy said:
“Train journeys are the perfect opportunity to pick up a good book, and this wonderful reading challenge will help more young people discover the joy of reading during their summer holidays and beyond.
“This initiative from four publicly owned operators shows the kind of joined-up, passenger-focused railway we're building as we set up Great British Railways, working as one organisation to deliver a difference for communities across the UK.”
