Beano launches special comic for World Book Day

Beano is today (Wednesday 26th February) launching a special comic in support of World Book Day with a free £1 World Book Day token.

In their first partnership, Beano will support World Book Day's a Share Million Stories campaign with one-off strip A Million Stories in One which sees Dennis “mashing up classic children‚Äôs tales to entertain Bea and Gnasher” according to its synopsis.

World Book Day is calling on children and families to "share a million stories during World Book Day" month (27th February–29th March) as it said shared reading has the single biggest impact on a child’s independent reading habits and parents reading with their children for 10 minutes a day can make a significant difference to achievement.

World Book Day c.e.o. Cassie Chadderton said: “We know children love comics, and children are more likely to read more when they can choose what they read. World Book Day is very excited to be part of the Beano world, with Dennis, Bea and Gnasher all getting involved to help us Share a Million Stories. We hope they‚Äôll inspire many more children to use their book token to choose a book of their own.”

Beano.com will also feature a Story-O-Meter allowing children to use "millions of character combinations, objects and places" to create stories and then asking them share it with family and friends to add to Beano’s and WBD's Share and Million Stories national total.

Beano Studios c.e.o. Emma Scott said: “Whether kids are enthusiastic or reluctant readers, Beano has always been a great comic-leap in helping kids to find great joy in reading. With World Book Day and our Beano Story-O-Meter at Beano.com, we are getting kids to carry on their reading adventures, so they can make their own stories and let their imaginations run wild.”

Children can use their £1 token to get a free World Book Day book or £1 off any book of audiobook from Thursday 27th February. World Book Day will take place on 5th March.