World Book Day is a celebration of reading and an opportunity to encourage children to explore and rediscover the pleasure of books by providing each child throughout the UK and Ireland with a book of their own.

This year World Book Day falls on Thursday 7th March 2024. Thanks to the generous sponsorship by National Book Tokens, schools and nurseries across the country receive over 20 million book tokens which are then distributed to children to be exchanged for one of twelve special World Book Day books. These exclusive books are available from participating bookstores (you can find your nearest participating bookshop here) - and you'll find a list of all of the books below.

2023, which marked the 26th anniversary of WBD, saw over 50 million book tokens distributed through schools, magazines and partnerships, giving children and young people the opportunity to choose and own a book. For many children, access to books is a serious issue. In the UK, up to 500,000 children don't have a book of their own and 1 in 5 pupils (20.7%) said the book they 'bought' with their World Book Day book token had been their first book of their own. Source: 2023 National Literacy Trust, Annual Literacy Survey.

There is a full report of the incredible impact World Book Day 2023 made, available here.

New for 2024, World Book Day has launched its Activity Bank where you can explore ideas from their partners and practitioners which support WBD's Six Elements of Reading for Pleasure.

View the World Book Day video below to see the big reveal of the exciting books that are up for grabs as part of this year's campaign.

To find the full list of the £1/€1.50 World Book Day books with introductory videos from the authors and illustrators, and more information visit www.worldbookday.com

Fundraising partnerships this year 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. 

World Book Day is a small, registered charity relying on the support of National Book Tokens, contributing publishers, booksellers and private benefactors.