About Oxford Big Read
Oxford Big Read is a competition organised by Oxford University Press to get primary and secondary students excited about reading and writing in English.
Since launching in 2013, thousands of students from all over Japan have taken part and shared their enjoyment of reading in English.
Taking part is simple. Students in participating schools read an eligible book and create a poster based on what they read, and teachers select which posters to enter the national competition.
Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of teachers and Oxford University Press staff.
Terms and conditions
For more information, including rules and eligibility, read the Terms and Conditions.
Who can enter
The competition is open to primary and secondary students.
There are four age groups - Elementary School (Grades 1-3), Elementary School (Grades 4-6), Junior High School, and High School.
Students in Private Language Schools may enter the category for their grade level.
Dates
- Late May 2026
- Registration opens
- Friday, 30 October 2026
- Submission deadline
- Late December 2026
- Winners announced
How to enter
1. Register
Please read the Terms and Conditions and register via the button below. After completing your registration, please download the Starter Pack, including the entry form, consent form, and resources and ideas for creating entries.
2. Read and create
Students read a book from the list of eligible OUP readers, create a poster, and submit it to their teacher.
3. Submit your entry
Teachers select up to five posters per class and submit them for entry with the entry form and the consent form by file upload via the button below.
FAQ
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- Q:Can I complete the pre-registration right before submitting entries?
- A:You may complete the pre-registration at any time during the entry period. However, you must complete the pre-registration before submitting entries.
- Q:How should I submit entries?
- A:Please scan or photograph your students' work and submit them through the Submission Form in PDF or JPEG format. Please note that submissions by post or email will not be accepted.
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- Q:Which book should I read?
- A:Please choose and read one book from the following eligible series.
Reading Stars
Dolphin Readers
Let’s Go Readers
Oxford Phonics World Readers
Reading with Phinnie
Happy Readers
Tick Tock Readers
Classic Tales 2nd Edition
Oxford Read and Imagine
Dominoes
Speedy Readers
Oxford Bookworms Library 3rd Edition
Oxford Bookworms Library Factfiles 3rd Edition
Oxford Read and Discover
Oxford Reading Tree - Main Stories
Oxford Reading Tree - inFact
Oxford Reading Tree - Explore with Biff, Chip and Kipper
Oxford Reading Tree - Decode and Develop
Oxford Reading Tree - Traditional Tales
Oxford Reading Tree - Green Sparks - Q:Does the work need to be handwritten?
- A:Entries must be handwritten and must be the student's own original work. Students may use illustration software or a pen tablet, however, the reuse of existing artwork and the use of typed text are not permitted.
- Q:Is the use of AI allowed?
- A:The use of illustrations, images, or texts generated by generative AI is not allowed.
- Q:Is there a limit to the amount of sentences included in a poster?
- A:Please include the following number of sentences in total.
・Elementary School (Grades 1-3): approximately 2-5 sentences
・Elementary School (Grades 4-6): approximately 6-8 sentences
・Junior High School/ High School: 8 sentences or more
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- Q:Is the quality of the illustration part of the judging criteria?
- A:The technical quality or artistic sophistication of the illustration is not part of the judging criteria. Instead, the overall appeal of the illustration, including factors such as colour use, layout, and relevance to the story, will be evaluated.
- Q:How will entries be judged, and what are the judging criteria?
- A:Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of teachers and Oxford University Press staff. Please refer to the judging criteria and use it as a guide when creating your work.
Reference videos
*These videos are from last year's competition.
Big Read 2026 will be held exclusively within Japan.