12 Best Classroom Reward Books for Schools

A book prize can do more than fill a reward box. The best classroom reward books give pupils something they genuinely want to take home, read and keep. They also make good sense for schools: books support reading for pleasure, suit a wide range of reward systems and can be bought in quantity without stretching a limited budget.

The right choice depends on the age of your class, the books already in your library and how pupils earn rewards. A Year 1 pupil may be delighted by a bright animal story, while a confident Year 6 reader may prefer a fact-packed book, a funny novel or an activity title. A varied selection is usually better than buying one type in bulk.

What makes a good classroom reward book?

A reward book should feel like a treat first. That does not mean it cannot be educational, but it should be appealing enough that pupils choose it for themselves. Strong covers, familiar characters, humour, animals, puzzles and subjects linked to children’s interests all help.

It also needs to be practical. Paperback and smaller-format books are easy to store in a prize box and simple for children to carry home. Lower-priced titles let staff offer book rewards more often, rather than saving them only for major events or end-of-term prizes.

For many schools, the best approach is to stock a mixture of reading levels. A pupil should not have to choose between a book that is too easy and one they cannot yet enjoy independently. Where reading programmes are used, matching books to an appropriate level can make the reward feel achievable as well as exciting.

12 best classroom reward book types

1. Picture books with a big payoff

Picture books are an excellent choice for Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1, but they should not be limited to younger pupils. A funny, beautifully illustrated story can be a welcome prize for any child who enjoys sharing a book at home.

Choose stories with a clear hook: mischievous animals, silly situations, friendship, bedtime, school days or familiar family routines. Look for titles children can understand from the pictures as well as the text, particularly when rewarding early readers.

2. Early-reader stories

Early-reader books are useful prizes for pupils beginning to read alone. Short chapters, manageable text and regular illustrations help build confidence without making the book feel like a worksheet.

Keep a few different levels available. Some children will want a story they can read independently that evening, while others may be proud to choose a slightly more challenging title to share with an adult.

3. Funny fiction

Humour is one of the safest ways to make a reward book feel special. Comic misunderstandings, school-based disasters, cheeky characters and laugh-out-loud illustrations appeal to many reluctant readers as well as keen ones.

For Key Stage 2, funny fiction can be particularly effective when pupils are moving beyond illustrated books but still want an accessible, quick-start read. Avoid assuming that longer always means better. A shorter book that gets read is a far better reward than a thick one left on a shelf.

4. Animal and pet stories

Animal books remain a dependable choice across primary age groups. Puppies, ponies, wild animals, dinosaurs and imaginary creatures give pupils an instant reason to pick up a book.

A mix works well here: fiction for children who want a story and non-fiction for children who love facts. Animal-themed books are also a useful neutral option when you need rewards that suit a whole class without relying on trends that may quickly pass.

5. Non-fiction fact books

Not every pupil is motivated by a novel. For some, a book full of facts about space, sport, machines, nature, history or the human body is far more exciting than a fictional adventure.

Non-fiction rewards work especially well for children who find sustained reading difficult but are happy to browse captions, diagrams and short sections. They can also support topic work without turning a prize into extra homework. Choose current-looking, well-designed books with clear photographs or illustrations and plenty to discover.

6. Activity books

Colouring, sticker, drawing, puzzle and word game books offer an immediate reward. They are popular for class raffles, attendance prizes, holiday giveaways and occasions when pupils have earned something enjoyable but may not choose a full story.

There is a trade-off. An activity book may not add as much to independent reading as a story or fact book, so it is best as part of a balanced reward selection. It can be a particularly good choice for pupils who are creative, restless or less confident readers.

7. Joke books and riddles

Joke books are small, shareable and often inexpensive, which makes them ideal for frequent rewards. Children enjoy reading jokes aloud to friends and family, and that repeated use gives the book a longer life than its short format might suggest.

Riddles, brain teasers and quiz books have a similar appeal. They work well in a reward box because pupils can dip in straight away, rather than needing to commit to a full plot.

8. Comics and highly illustrated books

Visual storytelling can bring pupils back to books when standard prose has not captured their interest. Comics, graphic-style stories and heavily illustrated fiction support comprehension while making reading feel fast-paced and approachable.

They are not a lesser choice. For children who struggle with dense text, a visual book can offer a satisfying complete reading experience and help build the habit of choosing books for enjoyment.

9. Series starters

The first book in a series makes a smart reward because it gives pupils a clear next step if they enjoy it. Familiar formats and recurring characters can reduce the anxiety of choosing the next book, particularly for children who do not yet see themselves as readers.

Try not to offer only later books in a sequence. A child may still enjoy one, but a starter title is more likely to encourage further reading through the school library or at home.

10. Seasonal books

Christmas, World Book Day, summer reading and end-of-term events are natural times to use themed book rewards. Seasonal activity books, winter stories and holiday-themed reads can make a school event feel more memorable.

Buy carefully, though. Seasonal stock offers great value when timed well, but it is less flexible than evergreen books. Keep the majority of your prize box suitable for any week of the school year, then add seasonal titles for a short-term boost.

11. Books for older primary pupils

Older pupils still value rewards, but the books need to feel age-appropriate. Fast-paced adventure, mysteries, comedy, sport, gaming-inspired stories and accessible non-fiction are often stronger choices than titles that look too young.

Give Years 5 and 6 real choice where possible. A small display of different genres feels more grown-up than being handed a random book, and pupils are more likely to select something they will read.

12. Local and community-themed books

Books that reflect places pupils know can make rewards feel more personal. Titles connected to towns, regions or local landmarks can spark conversation and give children a chance to see their own community represented in print.

These books are especially useful for school events, transition packs and reading initiatives with a local focus. They may not suit every reward box, but they can make a thoughtful addition where the connection is relevant.

How to build a reward box on a school budget

Start by deciding how often books will be given out. A weekly prize draw needs lower-cost, easy-to-replace titles, while termly awards can justify a few larger books. Many schools get better value by using books across several reward moments: reading challenges, house points, attendance, birthdays, behaviour targets and end-of-year celebrations.

Aim for choice, not quantity alone. A compact box with picture books, early readers, fact books, activities, jokes and books for older pupils will serve more children than a large pile of near-identical titles. Keep a simple note of what pupils choose quickly and what remains untouched. It will make the next order easier to plan.

For reading-focused rewards, consider offering two routes: a book pupils can comfortably enjoy now and a book they can work towards. Where appropriate, use Accelerated Reader levels or age guidance to help staff restock with confidence. The aim is not to label children by ability, but to make sure every child can leave with a book that feels right for them.

Low-price books make this approach realistic. At Clickabook, schools can browse children’s books by age, category, price and reading level, helping reward budgets go further without making selection harder.

Make the reward feel worth earning

Presentation matters. A book displayed face-out in a tidy reward box looks more inviting than one stored spine-out in a cupboard. Letting pupils choose from a small selection gives them ownership, even if the reward system itself is simple.

Avoid using books only as prizes for the highest achievers. Reading rewards can recognise effort, improvement, kindness, persistence and participation too. A child who has finished their first independent book may value that choice as much as the pupil who reads constantly.

Refresh the selection regularly, rotate leftover stock and keep a few surprise titles back for special occasions. When a child walks out of school pleased with a book they chose, the reward can carry on long after the sticker, point or certificate has been forgotten.