World Book Day
World Book Day is an annual celebration of books and reading, marked in different ways around the world. Its origins lie in the celebrations of St George’s Day in Barcelona and the giving of books and roses. In 1996 UNESCO designated 23 April World Book and Copyright Day.
In the UK and Ireland, World Book Day is generally held on the first Thursday in March to fit in with the requirements of the school year. World Book Day has charitable status and is organised jointly by the PA and the Booksellers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, with the aim of promoting reading particularly among young people. World Book Day is also associated with the QuickReads campaign to provide easy-reading books for emergent adult readers, and with the Spread The Word book recommendation campaign. World Book Day's impact is evaluated every year.
The PA Children’s Book Group advises on a number of promotional activities for publishers linked to World Book Day.
For detailed information on World Book Day and some great activities for children, go to www.worldbookday.com