DC Thomson has been confirmed as a key sponsor and foundational partner of the National Year of Reading (NYR) 2026, the year‑long initiative led by the National Literacy Trust and supported by the Department for Education to inspire more people across the UK to read for pleasure.
As a lead partner, DC Thomson will contribute media space across its portfolio, community connections, storytelling expertise and brand activity from Stylist, Beano, The People’s Friend, The Courier and The Press & Journal. Throughout 2026 the company will support NYR with events, school engagement, content partnerships and ambassador moments aligned to the campaign’s message: “If you’re into it, read into it”.
Ella Dolphin, Deputy CEO at DC Thomson, said: “As a media and content business we are a community of readers and creators. Our history and our future are built on the joy and impact of great storytelling in all its forms. Reading for pleasure transforms wellbeing, confidence and life chances, yet it is in steep decline. The National Year of Reading is a chance to reimagine reading for the modern age – books, digital, audio, lyrics, online articles and comics. If you’re into it, read into it. This partnership places our trusted brands at the heart of a national movement and creates long term value by deepening our connection with audiences, keeping our brands culturally visible and relevant.”
Her Majesty The Queen launched the National Year of Reading in Scotland at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, alongside Scottish authors, beloved comic characters, 150 primary school children and supporting publishers, businesses and charities. The initiative seeks to address the steep decline in the nation’s reading enjoyment, amid new research revealing just 3 in 10 Scottish children and young people enjoy reading and 1 in 6 read daily.
Government, business and charity partners including Education Scotland, DC Thomson, Scottish Book Trust and The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLiC) joined a roundtable discussion visited by Her Majesty to agree the priorities and actions required across the year to spark a love of reading in Scotland’s early years settings, schools, communities and homes.
Tapping into the power of comics to engage Scotland’s children and young people, the event saw Beano immerse school children in the magic of reading, writing and illustrating comics, with a bespoke three‑panel Beano comic strip featuring The Queen and Dennis the Menace presented to Her Majesty. Donations from DC Thomson, HarperCollins and Penguin Random House meant all 150 children were gifted a mix of brand new Beano comics, Beano books and extra children’s books to keep.
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “The National Year of Reading provides us with a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories.”
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading, said: “Reading in all its forms can unlock the things we already love, so whatever your passion: if you’re into it, read into it.”
Val McDermid, award‑winning author and National Year of Reading ambassador, said: “Reading is a window on the world beyond our own. It shows us possibilities and gives us the tools to make them realities. Reading is the greatest gift we can give our children. And ourselves.”