Queen Camilla Marks 79th Birthday by Gifting Book to All UK Year 6 Pupils

Q: Why was this specific fantasy novel chosen as the one book to inspire every child in the nation?

It appears *Impossible Creatures* was chosen because it is seen as the kind of book most likely to hook children into reading for pleasure: a recent, award-winning, bestselling middle-grade fantasy aimed squarely at the 8–12 age group the campaign is targeting. The official material does not set out a detailed selection memo, but the reasons are clear from the initiative’s goals. The National Year of Reading 2026 is trying to reverse a long decline in children’s reading enjoyment and daily reading, especially among primary-age pupils. In that context, a fast-paced fantasy with adventure, magic and mythical creatures is a strategic choice: it is accessible, highly imaginative and designed to appeal to a broad range of readers, including children who may not already see themselves as book lovers. Katherine Rundell also brings credibility and reach. She is an award-winning, internationally bestselling children’s author, and *Impossible Creatures* has strong recognition and age-appropriate appeal. Queen Camilla herself called it “brilliant,” which signals both personal endorsement and confidence that it can serve as a shared national reading experience. So the novel was likely selected not because of a single symbolic message, but because it fits the campaign’s practical aim: give every child one high-quality, exciting book with the best chance of sparking enjoyment, conversation and a lasting reading habit.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 17

Buckingham Palace said Queen Camilla will give every Year 6 and P6 child across the UK a special edition of Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures this Christmas.
The birthday initiative ties her 79th birthday to a renewed literacy push, with books distributed through schools and libraries and carrying a personal message from the Queen.
The programme is being run with the National Literacy Trust, of which Camilla is patron, as part of the National Year of Reading 2026 campaign.
A new portrait taken last month at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland was released to mark the occasion, underscoring a public role that has long centered on reading and children’s literacy.