The benefits of World Book Day
World Book Day is occurring on the 7th of March and is an excellent way for kids to get involved in literature. The day is to encourage children to get reading and have fun with all things books. It is so much more than reading books though, World Book Day gives kids fun activities surrounding popular literature to do and is really beneficial for everyone involved.
Discover the benefits of World Book Day for kids and parents and gain inspiration for dress up and activities in this blog.
What is World Book Day all about?
World Book Day was created by UNESCO in 1995 to celebrate and promote reading, publishing and copyright. It aims to encourage children to discover reading and get engaged in literature through fun activities.
The main message of World Book Day to kids is reading is fun, relatable, accessible, exciting and has the power to transform lives. It has also had the same mission which is to give every child the opportunity of owning their own book. It’s vital for kids to read for pleasure as it aids with their success in the future. The day was made to surpass family circumstances and parents background (such as educational) or income, so that every child can learn, grow and enjoy literature.
World Book Day is not just about celebrating books and reading, it’s about creating a passion for reading, fostering children’s imaginations and empowering them via the written word.
The benefits of World Book Day for kids
Participating in World Book Day can benefit kids in numerous ways. Due to fun activities, getting more involved and creating a passion for reading, children can improve various skills while enjoying themselves.
Reading skills
The main benefit of World Book Day is that it encourages kids to read which in turn, develops their reading skills. It inspires children to explore new books, discover new worlds and discover the magic of literature. Celebrating books and encouraging reading helps foster a passion and love for literature and entices children to engage with all types and genres of books.
Improves vocabulary
Through encouraging kids to read more they can vastly improve their vocabulary. Books exposes children to a rich vocabulary as they discover new words and phrases. Through these words and phrases their language skills develop which helps them with articulating and expressing themselves effectively. They can learn meanings of words and understand how to use them which also helps with communication skills too.
Heightens empathy
Reading more lets children understand people through characters as they step into their shoes. Books have a plethora of diverse characters where kids can experience their challenges, ups and downs and emotions too. Through this kids can develop their empathy as they learn about characters and bond with them. It also aids them with understanding different perspectives and they learn how to care and feel for others.
Improves concentration
World Book Day can create a passion for reading for kids. Due to this, they can become regular readers which helps with improving their concentration. When children get immersed in a book they learn to pay attention as they get so engaged with the stories. They also learn to absorb information and follow narratives which aids them with focussing.
Teaches responsibility and ownership
For lots of kids, World Book Day gives them the opportunity to own their first ever book. Possessing a book can feel very special and meaningful for children, especially if they have never been able to have one before. Through this simple act, kids can learn about responsibility and ownership. They can discover the importance of being responsible for their personal belongings and how vital it is to take care of their own things.
Expresses creativity
Kids can express themselves creatively and develop their imaginations through various activities that World Book Day offers them. They can dress up in their favourite characters costumes or be inspired to write their own stories. This encourages them to get their creative juices flowing with creating their character looks or through their own words. Creativity is a key skill to develop as it is needed for numerous scenarios and situations in their future to come up with new and innovative ideas.
Improves intelligence
Reading is very beneficial for children’s brains as it’s like exercise for the brain. Children can create a huge passion and love for reading from World Book Day. Reading stimulates the mind as well as enhancing cognitive skills. Due to this, it’s a great way for kids to improve their intelligence and keep on adding knowledge they may not know every time they get lost in a book!
Benefits their mental health
Every time kids read, it can hugely benefit and boost their mental health. Reading is a great stress-reliver and reduces anxiety too. Escaping into a different fictional world provides them with essential relaxation and is the perfect way to wind down and escape troubles.
The benefits of parents involvement
It is vital that parents support, encourage and get involved with World Book Day to get their kids reading and reaping multiple benefits. Participating in the day allows you to gain benefits as well as benefitting your children too!
Aids family bonding
Encouraging your kids to read can create the perfect family bonding opportunities. To get your kids engaged, the best way is to spend time together as a family and read. Whether that’s reading aloud, reading together, reading to your kids, discussing favourite parts and characters or sharing your most loved books, you can create special and crucial bonding time. You can become closer with your children through stories and share a love for books with them.
Supports key charities
World Book Day often pairs and collaborates with multiple charities, raising money and awareness for amazing causes. By including yourself in the day and encouraging your kids to, you get to support and spread awareness of the charities too. You contribute to various causes that promotes education and literacy helping children to shape their futures.
Positively impacts your kids success
When you actively assist your children with reading activities, homework or other reading-related actions it can positively impact your kids success. Reading together, working on reading assignments and discussing books reinforces children’s learning and comprehension. This in turn helps them improve in the classroom and beyond, creating a successful future for them.
Prioritises reading time
World Book Day can help you to prioritise reading time for your kids. It is a reminder of how beneficial reading is and to find the time to fit the activity into your busy schedule. You could find time in the evening, reading bed-time stories, playing an audiobook when you are busy or even during car journeys. These moments help strengthen your family and your bond as well as providing your kids with valuable learning experiences.
Creates a reading culture at home
Participating in the day and encouraging your children to choose their own reading materials creates a good reading culture in your home. A great way to encourage your children to read is by having a selection of accessible books in your house. You could create a reading corner where the books are stored and comfy seating (like bean-bags) can invite kids to spend time reading. Doing this gives your kids a rich reading environment where they can feel comfortable to explore imaginative worlds and become excited over picking up the book again.
Trending books for World Book Day
There are a plethora of new and re-imagined classic books for kids this year that are perfect for World Book Day reading. The organisers of the day also have their £1 list that includes re-imagined classics, adventure tales, picture books and comic and graphic stories. We have sourced some of the trending kids books for 2024 that you can get lost in!
- The Amazing Edie EckHart: The Friend Mission by Rosie Jones (World Book Day 2024 book) - suitable for age 9+
- Crocodog by Maisie Brint - suitable for any age
- Super Ghost by Greg James and Chris Smith - suitable for ages 8-10
- The Anxious Knight by Pete White - suitable for ages 3+
- Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David Mckee (World Book Day 2024 book) - suitable for all ages
- The Girl Who Wasn’t There by Jacqueline Wilson - suitable for ages 9-12
- Dread Wood Creepy Creations by Jennifer Killick (World Book Day 2024 book) - suitable for ages 9+
- The Sleepytown Express by Alison Reddihough - Suitable for ages 0-7
- Onyeka and the Secret Superhero by Tola Okogwu (World Book Day 2024 book) - suitable for ages 8+
- How Frank Helped Hank by Suzanne Hemming - suitable for all ages
Still stuck for ideas? why not check out our range of books.
Top World Book Day costumes
Stuck on what World Book Day costumes you should try out this year for your kids? Don’t worry we have some inspiration to help you and your kids decide which book character to be!
- Charlie Bucket or Willy Wonka - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
- Wendy, Peter Pan or Tinkerbell - Peter Pan by JM Barry.
- Grandmother, Wolf or Little Red Riding Hood - Little Red Riding Hood
- Wally or Wenda - Where’s Wally? By Martin Hanford.
- Mildred Hubble - The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy.
- Harry Potter, Ron Weasley or Hermonie Granger - Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
- Thing 1 and Thing 2 - The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss.
- Coraline - Coraline by Neil Gaiman.
- Mr Men and Little Miss (Tickle, Chatterbox, Bump etc) - Mr Men series by Roger Hargreaves.
- Wimpy Kid - Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
- Superhero based on any comic
Find some dress up inspiration, to help with whichever costume your children picks, here!
Fun World Book Day ideas
Stuck on how to engage your kids with reading and reading activities? We have a few fun World Book Day ideas you can try out.
Write a story- kids can reimagine a story they’ve read or create their own!
- Dress up as your favourite character!
- Host a book trail - hide books around the house and send your kids on a book themed treasure hunt with clues to help.
- Do some book themed art- encourage your children to create their own covers for a book they are reading.
- Create your own comic - let your kids imaginations run wild and task them to create their own comic illustrating what happens with little dialogue.
- Read together or host a family reading club.
- Create or test your kids with a literacy quiz.
- Discuss a book together - favourite parts, characters, what happens etc.
Participate in World Book Day and encourage your kids to read. This day brings so many benefits to children and for parents too! Use these benefits of World Book Day to encourage yourself and your children to get stuck into literature and celebrate the day together! Try out some of the trending books for this year and have a go at the World Book Day ideas as well.
So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for World Book Day and explore the benefits, fun and enjoyment that books can bring and immerse yourself in stories together!
