World Book Day in UK and Ireland
March 7, Thursday
World Book Day in the UK and Ireland was established in 1997 as part of a global initiative supported by UNESCO to promote reading.
Traditions and rituals
Distribution of book vouchers. As part of the holiday, children and young people receive book vouchers that can be exchanged for specially published books for World Book Day or used as a discount on other books. This makes books more accessible to children from different backgrounds.
Dressing up and costumes. One of the most beloved traditions is dressing up as your favourite literary characters. Schools hold costume parades, themed classes and competitions where children can show off their imagination and creativity.
Reading alouds and meetings with authors. On this day, schools, libraries and bookstores hold reading alouds, where adults read children their favorite books. There are also meetings with writers and illustrators who share the secrets of their creativity and talk about the process of writing books.
Themed lessons and master classes. Schools hold special lessons dedicated to literature, creativity and writing. Children participate in master classes on writing, create their own books and illustrations, and also learn how writers and publishers work.
Social networks and promotions. On social networks, people share photos of their children in costumes, talk about their favorite books and share literary recommendations using hashtags related to World Book Day.