World Book Day. Encouraging childrens love for books - yippie!!

Its March the 1st today , which can only mean one thing... pinch punch with rabbits , no? Its WORLD BOOK DAY!! Which is a huge "like" for me as its encouraging children to enjoy reading with lots of fun included. Most children today went to school dressed as their favourite characters from their favourite literature. The fantastic Netmums were on hand for help with what children could dress up as. http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/home-life-8/seasonal-chat-arts-crafts-99/537886-quick-easy-costume-ideas-book-week.html

So today parents , schools and libraries have helped in the battle of getting our children reading , to get children to put down the computer games and the tap tapping of keyboards and to pick up a book that will be fun and educational! EDUTAINMENT!! After all how great are books? Theyre portable, help childrens literacy, language knowledge ,and not a empty battery that needs charging in sight!! We are all very tied up in technology . I am one of them - i'm all for updating a status or two, "liking" my favourite tv programmes etc, but I also know the importance of book reading for adults and more importantly for our children and their education!

I am constantly horrified by facts and figures about our children not even owning books and how low literacy levels are in the UK compared to other countries and I believe it is the states duty to teach good literacy, parents should take hold of their responsibilities for this issue also!! But thats why I love World Book Day... It brings parents, schools , libraries and children in over 100 countries altogether . It brings everyone together to CELEBRATE!

World Book Day is definitely a great way to inspire children and encourage reading, so we should celebrate it!

A celebration of authors, illustrators and literature. A celebration of books and reading ! “The main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.” http://www.worldbookday.com/about/

Lots is happening on World Book Day. Half a million children in 21 countries have the chance to join top childrens authors to celebrate the day by a live stream being broadcasted into thousands of schools worldwide. Jaqueline Wilson and Eoin Colfer are said to be involved.

Other activities invloved are in WBD are:

The Biggest Book Show on Earth:
A huge event at the South Bank involving nearly 1,000 children and 15 authors and illustrators will be broadcast to schools, nurseries, bookshops and libraries around the country.

WBD App:
Will launch in February 2012 and a teen event will take place at the Apple Store in Covent Garden, London, and streamed on iTunes.

Storytelling Superstars:
A nationwide search to find the country's best storyteller. Julia Donaldson will be the ambassador and head judge for the competition and discussions are ongoing with a national media partner.

WBD Ambassadors:
Peter Andre has already been confirmed by WBD and it is seeking other ambassadors including sports figures and journalists to pre-promote WBD and drive up awareness of the campaign.

Big Fiction Finds:
WBD is working with Netmums to pre-promote WBD into Netmums' community, using £1 WBD authors on the website and Q&As with authors including Jacqueline Wilson.

Blue Peter:
Discussions are under way to dedicate a "Blue Peter" programme to WBD with features around the day, alongside the announcement of the Blue Peter Book Award winner on WBD.

500 Words:
Radio 2's Chris Evans will launch a 500-Word Short Story Competition in January, which will be promoted to schools and libraries.

For more information please view the website http://www.worldbookday.com/about/

Happy Reading : )

For more inspiration for your children try www.themagicsunglasses.com - well worth a visit!
Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.