Primary school children have been giving hilarious verdicts on their favourite books in a nationwide reading competition backed by high street retailer TGJones.
The Bitesize Bookworms contest asks children aged five to 12 to describe a favourite book in 25 words or fewer.
READ MORE: Primary schools across Norfolk invited to enter reading competition
Some of the entries have ranged from funny to brutally honest.
One child summed up Eric Carle’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar with: “It's just a caterpillar eating.”
Another described Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as: “It’s about sweets and greedy spoilt children.”
Other entries included: “Cheeky boy who’s naughty” for Horrid Henry and “It’s funny and has poo in it” for The Dinosaur that Pooped.
The competition supports the National Year of Reading 2026 campaign, led by the Department for Education and supported by the National Literacy Trust.
Organisers said the campaign aims to encourage children and families to read more widely and connect reading with their interests.
The competition has also produced heartfelt entries about the effect reading has on children.
One child reviewing Barbie wrote: “I like the book because it makes me feel amazing whenever I'm reading it.”
Another said of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: “It makes me feel joy when I’m reading it. I like to read it to my younger sibling to teach them more.”
Three winners and nine runners-up will be chosen by a judging panel including broadcaster Richard Madeley, author Judy Finnigan and teacher-turned-rapper MC Grammar.
Richard Madeley said: “As hosts of our very own book club, we love seeing the joy and delight reading can bring to people and understand the importance of expressing this joy to others.”
Alex Willson, chief executive of TGJones, said: “Nothing is more creative than a child’s imagination and we want to celebrate that unfiltered, accidental comedy that comes from a child giving their honest opinion about their favourite book.”
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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