What is it World Book Day?
World Book Day is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place in over 100 countries worldwide. In the UK, World Book Day is particularly significant as it encourages children to discover the joy of reading and explore the wonderful world of literature.
On World Book Day, schools, libraries, and bookstores come together to promote the magic of books through various activities and events. From dressing up as favourite book characters to author visits and storytelling sessions, World Book Day creates an exciting atmosphere that fosters a love for reading among children of all ages.
What are the benefits?
Inclusion
One of the key objectives of World Book Day is to provide every child with the opportunity to own a book of their own. In the UK, schools issue book tokens that can be exchanged for a specially created World Book Day book or used to get a discount on any other book of their choice. This initiative aims to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have access to the endless possibilities that books offer.
Social
World Book Day can also play a crucial role in promoting literacy and encouraging a lifelong love for reading. By celebrating the joy of books in such a festive and engaging way, children can explore new worlds, expand their imagination, and enhance their understanding of the world around them. It also allows children to bond and discover new friendships over shared interests.
Health
With many studies supporting the positive cognitive effects of reading, World Book Day can be the start of a child developing a very healthy habit and let’s face it, reducing screen time. According to juniorlearning.com, reading can promote the following benefits within children:
- Reduces stress levels and increased relaxation.
- Increased imagination and creativity.
- Improved concentration and memory.
- Improved vocabulary and knowledge.
- Improved writing abilities.
- Improved sleep.
Statistical Findings
As children grow and they read increasingly challenging literature, they will begin to develop other skills such as empathy, interpretation, decoding, and logical reasoning, each of which can aid them massively in their personal and working lives.
In 2011, the National Literacy Trust conducted studies across the UK from 2019 – 2021, compiling a comprehensive report supporting the notion of World Book Day being a force for good. The full report can be found below, along with some of the key statistics.
- Children’s comments suggested that making books financially accessible supported or widened their reading experiences by allowing them to choose a book that matched their interests or through the discovery of a new favourite author or series.
- More than half (54.7%) of children aged 8 to 11 said that they read more books as a result of taking part in World Book Day, and 3 in 10 (30.5%) read more with their parents/carers.
- 1 in 5 (18.8%) children receiving free school meals said the book they had ‘bought’ with their World Book Day token was the first book of their own.
- World Book Day was associated strongly with venturing beyond usual reading choices for many children, supporting them in developing their reading identities. As one child said, “World Book Day made me want to move out of my comfort zone.”
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