Introduction

In the UK and around the globe, a lively new BookTok/Bookstagram trend—marginalia—is transforming kids’ engagement with reading into a colourful, creative journey. Once frowned upon, the practice of jotting notes, tabs, doodles, and colour‑coding in books is now sparking excitement and deeper thinking among young readers. In this comprehensive guide, discover how children are taking ownership of stories—and why you should join the #MarginaliaMania.

1. What Is Marginalia?

Marginalia—annotating books with personal notes, plus colourful tabs and doodles—is a longstanding literary practice. Now, modern kids and teens are reclaiming it as both a reflective tool and an artistic outlet. Historically common among writers and scholars, marginalia is being reimagined for children’s emergent literacy and creative exploration theguardian.com+1reddit.com+1.

For young children, even simple drawings or scribbles in picture books are part of early literacy development: they reflect interpretation and emotional connection with the text .

 2. Why Kids Are Doing It Now

A Guardian article highlights a new wave of UK and global readers embracing annotation on social media platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram theguardian.com. Avid readers, especially fans of romance and fantasy, are applying colour-coded tabs—pink for swooning romance scenes, blue for foreshadowing—and share their annotated books online. Influencers such as Marcela (@booksta.babe) have popularised this aesthetic approach, combining stationary fandom with literary reflection reddit.com+7theguardian.com+7reddit.com+7.

 3. Real Readers Speak — Reddit Voices 📣

"I scribble my thoughts in the margins… It helps me flesh out my thoughts and helps with my understanding… then when I look back years later… it's a whole other dimension of reading” reddit.com

"I bought a used copy… the previous owner marked different coloured highlighters… I’m ecstatic! …It feels like I’m reading right alongside someone.” reddit.com

These voices reflect how annotated books become living documents—commentary, self-reflection, and memory all in one.

 4. Benefits for Children

Annotated reading is more than decoration—it’s a powerful educational and emotional tool:

• Enhances comprehension & focus: Interacting actively with text boosts understanding and retention researchgate.net+14reddit.com+14reddit.com+14reddit.com.
• Supports critical thinking: Colour-coding helps readers identify themes, plot points, and emotions.
• Encourages multi-sensory learning: Combining visual, tactile, and cognitive stimuli fosters deeper engagement.
• Promotes emotional reflection: Marginal notes enable readers to capture and revisit feelings.
• Fuels community: Exchanging annotated books creates literary bonds and shared reading experiences.

 5. How to Start Marginalia at Home/School (UK Focus)

Turn marginalia into a fun, easy activity with these steps:

1. Gather supplies: Use bright sticky tabs, highlighter pens, coloured pencils, and sticker markers.
2. Create a colour key:
   ❤️ Romantic moments
   💡 Plot twists/foreshadowing
   😂 Humour or favourite quotes
   🧠 Words or ideas to remember
3. Start small: Begin with margin notes or doodles copying feelings or reactions.
4. Use sticky notes: A non-permanent annotation method for borrowed books.
5. Keep a reading journal: Link notes in the margins to entries in a personal reading log.
6. Annotate in pairs or groups: Perfect for siblings, buddies, or classroom reading teasers.
7. Customise socially: Encourage kids to share their annotated pages via social media or your #MarginaliaMania challenge!

6. Showcase Examples & Inspiration

Share visuals of annotated works by UK youth and parents—tabbed pages, colourful doodles, emotional notes. Spotlight thanks to social media creators like @booksta.babe and trending UK BookTok voices. Invite contributions from your readers to feature in blog posts—or link to Instagram highlights.

 7. Building a Reading Community

Encourage families and schools across the UK to form marginalia-reflective reading circles.

• Offer 'annotate-with-your-child' sessions and workshops via Read With Us.
• Enable "Swap & Share” events for annotated books, fostering connection through story.