World Book Day unveils 2024 activity

World Book Day has unveiled its 2024 activity, including new partnerships and ways to fundraise. 

It will take place on 7th March this year, with £1/€1.50 Book Token books by the likes of Rob Biddulph, Tọlá Okogwu and Louie Stowell.

Fundraising partnerships include a 16-piece jewellery collection with Tatty Devine; two collaboration pieces with fashion brand Joanie; a collection of World Book Day-themed costumes at Amscan International Ltd; free resources from Jigsaw Education Group; and a book-themed menu and activity sheet from school catering provider Green Gourmet. There will be a new BBC Teach Live Lesson, a content partnership with Tiny Happy People and a collaboration with children’s writing competition 500 Words. 

McDonald’s will support World Book Day with a range of Happy Meal boxes with the £1/€1.50 book token, and the National Literacy Trust will host the annual The Great Big Footy and Booky Quiz. BookTrust is organising #PassThePen, which sees authors handing over the reins of their social media accounts to rising stars in children’s literature. 

Each author of the £1/€1.50 books will be at their local bookshops between 15th February and 8th March, and there will also be a selection of free audiobook stories available via the Yoto App and on World of Stories. 

In 2024, 105,000 books are being distributed through a range of supporters and partners, including working with BookTrust’s network of 6,000 local organisations, to get the £1 book tokens into some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities. 24,000 books will be distributed through prisons to help families read together, while 43,750 books will be shared across 17 National Literacy Hubs and over 100 football clubs.

Scottish Book Trust has produced new resources for early years settings and schools, and schools across the UK can watch over 50 author events through Bookbug’s Authors Live on Demand programme. In Wales, over 9,000 £1/€1.50 books will be distributed through foodbanks through the Books Council of Wales. In Ireland, World Book Day will work with a network of partners, including Foras na Gaeilge, An Post and Vision Ireland. 

The charity is working with 20 libraries in high-deprived areas with low literacy levels, where there is limited access to retailers and bookshops. These libraries will welcome local children to swap their £1/€1.50 book tokens for books. There will also be four library events supported by Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme. 

World Book Day has also developed six evidence-based principles that can be implemented by families to “support children in adopting a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure”: being read to regularly; having books at home and at school; having a choice in what to read; finding time to read; having trusted help to find a book; and making reading fun.

Cassie Chadderton, World Book Day c.e.o., said: "Our aim for World Book Day 2024 is to bring the fun of reading to more children, to celebrate their choices and encourage everyone to Read Their Way! Fewer children and their families are enjoying reading, just when the life-changing benefits are needed most. The World Book Day £1/€1.50 authors and illustrators will be out and about at bookshops, libraries and schools across the country encouraging children to read for pleasure and we’re excited that a fantastic array of partners and supporters are making it easier than ever to get involved with activities, fundraising or simply choosing a £1/€1.50 book for free with our £1/€1.50 tokens."