World Book Day Thursday 2nd March

As World Book Day 2023 approaches my thoughts turn to why is there a World Book Day?
‘It provides a fantastic opportunity to focus on reading for pleasure, supporting children's autonomy in book choice, and embedding a habit of reading that brings a wide range of benefits.’ (World Book Day website)
This is no doubt true and the work that the National Literacy Trust does to promote reading for pleasure through World Book Day should be celebrated.
As a teacher I remember the feeling of excitement in the lead up to World Book Day, encouraging our pupils (and staff) to dress up as their favourite character from a book. Aware that not every family had the resource to do this, I always suggested alternatives if they did not have a costume. What about a football kit? A school uniform? A party dress? A Tee-shirt and shorts? Any of the above could be considered a character from a book!
We know that ideally children should be introduced to books as early as possible, encouraged to pick up books and look at the pictures and talk about them as they get older.
All children should have access to books and World Book Day helps promote this with their on-line resources for schools and families. The £1 World Book Day tokens are distributed in advance of the day to enable all children to choose and own a book.
As part of World Book Day I will be visiting schools in my local area and introducing my book ‘No More Pets’. Through the book I will be promoting a love of reading and writing and how I came to be an author.
My mission is to challenge all children to be ‘readers for pleasure’.
‘Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.’ (Beverley Cleary)
Follow my Facebook page: nomorepets for up-dates on the schools I visit during World Book Week.

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