World Book Day, which will take place on the 1st March, is a celebration of reading. The event has been running for 21 years now and 100 countries from all over the world take part.
World Book Day Ltd is a small charity which aims to encourage children to explore reading and take pleasure from books. This is helped by giving every child the chance to have a book of their very own, thanks to a free £1 book token.
This year, National Book Tokens Ltd will be giving away 15 million book tokens to children across the country. The book token can be taken to a local bookseller and be used to pick 1 of 10 completely free books. Alternatively, the token can be used to receive £1 off a full priced book or audiobook, so long as they cost at least £2.99.
This year’s list of free books can be found at www.worldbookday.com/books.
The book tokens are valid from 26th February -25th March and can be used at participating retailers such as Waterstones, Sainsbury’s, Tescos, Morrisons and WHSmith.
In 2004, World Book Day extended its reach to the early years sector so that pre-school children could receive book tokens too. If registered with the charity, nurseries and pre-schools can also receive World Book Day resource packs for different ages as well as free book tokens.
Ideas to support World Book Day
- Invite parents and carers to come into your setting and share a book with their child. Create cosy areas with cushions where children and their families can snuggle up together.
- Fill a box with books that children can borrow to take home and share with parents and siblings.
- Use storytelling props and story sacks to bring books to life.
- Let children dress up as their favourite book characters on 1st March and donate £1 to charity. Book Aid International, in partnership with World Book Day, will use the money to send books around the world to children who need them.
Other activities to take part in
- Get children involved in designing a future National Book Token in the ‘under 8’ First prize wins £500 in National Book Tokens for their school. More details here.
- World Book Day has started a ‘SHARE A STORY’ campaign to get everyone reading stories anywhere and everywhere, from breakfast to bedtime. Share what you’re reading on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #ShareAStory.
For further ideas, visit www.worldbookday.com
[pullquote]Nurseries and pre-schools can still register for World Book Day but there will be a late registration fee of £30. To avoid this fee, make sure you register your setting via the World Book Day website between September and November each year.[/pullquote]