World Book Day is held in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland every year on the first Thursday in March “to change lives through the love of books and shared reading”.
World Book Day in March is not to be confused with World Book Day created by UNESCO in 1995, and observed every year on April 23.
The event was moved to March in the UK to avoid clashing with the Easter School Holidays.
World Book Day 2023
Since reading makes an important difference to a child’s future success, World Book Day encourages reading for pleasure.
Parents and teachers can help children use 10 minutes a day to share fun and meaningful stories.
Other activities to celebrate World Book Day may include fun lesson plans, free videos and audio books. Children should also be invited to visit the library.
Celebrating World Book Day
Organizers say the approach is based on research that tells us there are six elements to supporting children to read happily.
- Read regularly.
- Have books at home and at school.
- Have a choice of what to read.
- Find time to read.
- Have reliable help to find books.
- Make reading fun.
A fun read idea
The organizers have a list of educational ideas on the official World Book Day website, such as reading recommendations, free audio books, video resources; even a family package.
Thousands of bookstores and supermarkets participate in World Book Day, but local libraries also often have reading events on the day.
Compiled by Cheryl Kahla.