The Reader will host the UK’s biggest World Book Day celebration this March

National reading charity World Book Day is partnering with The Reader for a fun-filled day in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park on Thursday 5 March, bringing the joy of reading to 1,000 children as part of the National Year of Reading.

The World Book Day event will bring together schools and families for a vibrant, inclusive celebration designed to make reading feel exciting, playful and pressure-free.

Across the day, children will take part in author and illustrator talks and signings, creative craft activities, competitions and a silent disco, with many dressing as their favourite book characters. Popular costume characters Bunny vs Monkey and Peppa Pig will also make special appearances, along with a magical unicorn from Unicorn Academy.

The celebration features World Book Day ambassador MC Grammar and a line-up of much-loved £1 book authors and illustrators including Katie Blackburn, Paddy Donnelly, Hannah Gold, Jamie Smart, Matt Oldfield, Serena Patel, Sheena Dempsey and Sibéal Pounder. Together, they will encourage children to explore books in ways that spark curiosity, imagination and confidence.

The Reader is the UK’s biggest Shared Reading charity, dedicated to connecting more than 25,000 adults and children with literature to improve wellbeing, literacy and community cohesion. Through UK-wide programmes in hospitals, prisons and community spaces, and at its home in the historic Calderstones Park, The Reader brings storytelling to life, showing that reading can be social, joyful and transformative, helping children see reading as an adventure rather than a task.

World Book Day is a national reading charity that exists to help children fall in love with reading. By creating joyful, inclusive experiences, it shows children that reading isn’t a test or a chore, but something exciting and empowering. Over 2 million books are gifted to children during World Book Day and for one in five children – one in four children on free school meals – a World Book Day title is the first book they own.

Research shows that reading for fun is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s future success, even more than socio-economic background. It boosts wellbeing, creativity, and learning across the curriculum. Yet National Literacy Trust data shows reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in 20 years, with only one in three children saying they enjoy reading.

As part of the National Year of Reading, World Book Day 2026 is a key moment to ‘Go All In’ on reading for fun, particularly when cost-of-living pressures limit access to books for many families. World Book Day’s £1 books play a vital role in removing barriers, reaching millions of young readers each year, including many children who do not own a book at home.

Fiona Hickley, Executive Director of World Book Day, comments:

“World Book Day is a joyful and vibrant celebration of reading for fun, and it’s all about inspiring children to see reading differently. Events like this show children that reading can be exciting and something to look forward to. By taking away pressure and giving children the freedom to choose a book they want to read, we can show them that it is a fun, entertaining and social thing to do, and help them enjoy the life-changing benefits.”

Katie Clark, Director of Literature at The Reader, said:

“We are very excited to be hosting the UK’s biggest ever World Book Day celebration during this National Year of Reading. There will be a wide range of free fun activities for children throughout the day, from drop-in storytelling sessions in our magical multi-purpose family space The Storybarn, to crafts and a silent disco opened by the brilliant MC Grammar.”  

“On a daily basis, our staff and volunteers work to inspire a lifelong love of reading among children and young people through a thoughtful annual events programme packed full of creativity and author visits.”

“This runs alongside key flagship projects including Reading Heroes, where care-experienced children aged 2-15 are paired with highly trained volunteers to enjoy the magic of reading aloud together, and First Page, building confidence for adults (parents, carers and Early Years professionals) to read aloud with babies and young children.

“We believe Shared Reading is needed now more than ever and World Book Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the power of reading, together.”

This event is made possible with funding from the Julia Rausing Trust and Arts Council England.

From 12 February to 15 March 2026, children can exchange their £1 book token for one of 16 exclusive World Book Day books or use it as a £1 contribution towards any full-priced book or audiobook at participating retailers.

For more information, visit The Reader’s website for more info about World Book Day!

The Reader recently reported its highest-ever fundraising total after Christmas appeal, read more here.

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