Kay, Wicks and Henry on World Book Day 2023 £1 book list

World Book Day has announced its list of 15 books, by the likes of Adam Kay, Joe Wicks, Lenny Henry and more, to be made available for free with a £1 book token on World Book Day 2023 (2nd March).

This year children previously described as “reluctant readers” helped with the selection, a move the charity says demonstrates its commitment to engage and inspire more children with relatable titles, “championing the energy and diversity of children’s literature in the UK and Ireland today”. They were aged between five and 11 years old and were selected from two London schools, Clara Grant Primary School and Barlby Primary School.

Cassie Chadderton, c.e.o. of World Book Day, said: “Our aim as a charity is to encourage all children to love reading, see themselves as readers and ultimately, improve their life chances. This is even more important at a time when the cost of living crisis is set to damage access to books and reading for thousands of children.

“The announcement of our £1/€1.50 World Book Day books is always an exciting moment and we’re proud to present these 15 books for 2023 from a wonderful range of authors and illustrators.”

The full list of £1/€1.50 books chosen for 2023 are, in the "beginners" category: Lifesize Creepy Crawlies by Sophy Henn (Red Shed), Billy’s Bravery by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) and Bedtime for the Burpee Bears by Joe Wicks, co-written with Vivian French and illustrated by Paul Howard (HarperCollins Children’s Books).

In the "early" category they will be: You Choose Your Adventure by Pippa Goodhart, illustrated by Nick Sharratt (Puffin), Marvel Spider-Man, the Amazing Pocket Guide, by Catherine Saunders (DK), and Dave Pigeon: Bookshop Mayhem by Swapna Haddow and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey (Faber).

For "fluent" readers, the choices are: The Boy with Wings: Attack of the Rampaging Robot by Lenny Henry, illustrated by Keenon Ferrell (Macmillan Children’s Books), A Dragon Realm Adventure by Katie & Kevin Tsang (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books), Kay’s Brilliant Brains by Adam Kay and illustrated by Henry Paker (Puffin), and Strangeworlds Travel Agency: Adventure in the Floating Mountains by L D Lapinski  (Hachette Children’s Group). 

"Independent" readers will be able to choose from Boot It! by A M Dassu (Old Barn Books) and Being An Ally: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying Again, edited by Sharkirah Bourne and Dana Alison Levy, featuring essays from Derick Brooks, Shakirah Bourne, Naomi and Natalie Evans, Lizzie Huxley-Jones, Dana Alison Levy, and A J Sass, published by DK.

A title by Anni Llŷn published by Y Lolfa is to be announced as a Welsh language option, while Rita agus an Dragún, an Irish language title by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Mr Ando (Andrew Whitson), published by An tSnáthaid Mhór, will also be available, alongside Hazel Tree Farm: One Stormy Night, by Alma Jordan and llustrated by Margaret Suggs (The O’Brien Press).

Sir Lenny Henry commented: "I am really chuffed to be part of the line-up of £1 World Book Day 2023 authors and illustrators with my book. It is such an honour to be on the list. Reading is such an amazing thing to do, it opens imaginations wide and takes us all off on new adventures. I wholeheartedly support World Book Day’s commitment to encouraging more children to read, and championing the diversity of children’s literature on offer in the UK and Ireland today."

L D Lapinski added:  “With children playing an important role in choosing this year’s £1 Books, it makes me even more thrilled to be a part of the line-up. 

“Children having the freedom to choose what they want to read, and enjoying their reading experiences, is such an important step in falling in love with stories, and adults can support this growing delight in books by encouraging reading of all kinds, anywhere and at any time. World Book Day is a shining example of what we can achieve if we choose to spread a little more joy. I cannot wait to read all the other books in this year’s line-up.”