Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When is World Book Day 2008?

A. World Book Day is on Thursday 6th March 2008. This date came about after serious thought and lengthy discussion to ensure that we were making the best decision for all participants and our supporters. We take into consideration religious holidays, school terms and potential conflict with other charitable activities.  In other countries World Book Day takes place at a different time of year – usually in April. For international information on World Book Day, please visit: http://www.unesco.org/

Q2. Is World Book Day a government initiative?

A. No - World Book Day Ltd is a registered charity whose financing of World Book Day comes mainly from contributing publishers, the generous sponsorship of National Book Tokens Ltd, some literacy partnerships and other supporters, as well as the participating booksellers who fund the entire cost of Book Token redemption.

Q3. How can my school get material?

A. A comprehensive mailing list is used to distribute material. However, if you would like to double check that all your school’s details are correct, including contact name and roll numbers, please contact the World Book Day Helpline on:
Phone: 01634 729810
Fax: 01634 290175
Email: wbd@education.co.uk

NB: Since World Book Day 2004 secondary schools in the UK are required to register to participate. In 2007, secondary schools should re-register and re-confirm their requirements and schools not yet registered are welcome to do so also. Please see the secondary school registration section on this site for all details and to check your registration status. There is a £10 administration fee payable after the 30th November 2007

Please note that schools in Ireland and all primary schools will be automatically mailed as in previous years; there is no need to register. However, if you have previously requested to not receive any mailings from Education Direct, WBD’s mailing house, you will not receive any WBD material.  To rectify this situation, please contact the Helpline.

Q4. How long is the Book Token’s redemption period?

• The Book Token redemption period is:

03/03/08 – 30/03/08 inclusive

 Q5. Where can I get ideas for activities and events for World Book Day in my school?
 
A. The Schools’ Pack, mailed to schools with the £1 Book Tokens from mid-January 2008 will contain many ideas for events and activities you can organize for your school, even if you are making arrangements at the last minute.  The events listing on this site will tell you what other schools, bookshops and libraries are planning and you may get ideas from this list that you can apply in your school.  

Q6. My children are educated at home.  Are they entitled to receive WBD £1 Book Tokens?

A. Yes.  Please supply your details, including the number of children in your care and they will be despatched to you by the WBD Helpline.  There is no charge for this service.

Q7. Are pre-school children entitled to World Book Day Book Tokens?

A. In 2004 we extended the reach of the World Book Day initiative into the preschool sector; this was so successful we are continuing and increasing activity in 2008. For further information on this activity please visit the pre-school section of this site where establishments can download a form to register their details.

Q8. I work at a British School abroad; do we qualify to receive free of charge a copy of the Schools’ Pack?

A. Unless a school book club used by your school has made prior arrangements there is a charge for a copy of the Schools’ Pack, and Book Tokens will not be sent overseas. To order a Schools’ Pack, please contact the World Book Day Helpline (details given above).   The charge is £5 plus carriage for packs sent overseas.  NB. Book Tokens will not be sent overseas.

Q9. I work at an international school and would like a copy of the Schools’ Pack. Is the pack free of charge or is there a fee?

A. Please contact the World Book Day Helpline (details given above) to find out if your school is on the existing mailing list. Otherwise there will be a charge for the Schools’ Pack.  The charge is £5 plus carriage for packs sent overseas.  NB. Book tokens will not be sent overseas.

Q10. Who is responsible for sending information to the Republic of Ireland?

A. Material, including Euro Book Tokens, is sent in bulk to Ireland and is despatched to schools by the Irish Department of Education, using their mailing list.
The Irish Helpline operates for a limited period around World Book Day – please contact them on:
info@abtree.ie .

Q11. I am calling from a school and cannot get hold of certain £1 Books. Can you help?

A. Bookshops will have limited quantities of the £1 books exchangeable for the WBD £1 Book Tokens, and are neither obliged nor able to supply large quantities of £1 books in exchange for bulk quantities of Book Tokens. You are urged to bear this in mind when making arrangements for your pupils to celebrate World Book Day, as any misunderstanding can lead to disappointment.  Early contact with your local bookseller is recommended to find out what their plans are for £1 Book stock. If your school is in an isolated position, you may wish to consider using one of the main book wholesalers – Bertrams, THE, orGardners – to access books.  You will need to open an account and purchase books on the same basis as any other participating bookseller.

Q12. Can you provide me will a list of participating bookshops in my area?

A. Please visit the Participating Bookshops section on this site in late January 2007 for a complete list.  Details are given on the list so that you can check before travelling to make your purchase. Most large chains – WH Smith, Waterstone’s, Borders, Blackwells etc and many independent booksellers are participating, as are a number of school book clubs – Puffin, Scholastic, Usborne Books At Home and Books for Children. Tesco’s Supermarkets are also participating in some of their larger stores, though you must check before making a journey that your local store is participating.

Q13. When will World Book Day 2009 be held?

Discussions are being held now to decide on a suitable and practical date for 2009 and the date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed. It is likely to be the first Thursday in March 2009, but do please check on this site again towards the end of March 2008 for confirmation.

Q14. I am a BFPO school, am I entitled to a pack free of charge?

Unless a BFPO has made an arrangement with a Book Club or supplier in advance we are not looking to send packs out separately.  If they have made an arrangement with Usborne Books At Home, then this will already be covered as the main contact for UBAH has already made a substantial request for Euro and Sterling book tokens for BFPO schools.  If the BFPO school would like to receive a pack from us we will need to make a £5 charge, cheque payable to “Education Direct”.

  Q15. The following types of establishments may be sent material:

• Registering pre-school establishments – see the pre-school section on this site
• Exclusion Units/Individuals educating excluded children
• Hospitals/Hospices etc educating children in long term care
• Immigration and asylum units that educate children internally

Q16. The following are not entitled to Tokens, as this would involve duplication:

• Sunday Schools
• After school clubs, school reading clubs
• Brownies, cubs, scouts, guides etc.

Q17. What is the charge for additional copies of the Schools’ pack?

A. The charge for additional schools’ packs is £5 within the UK, and £5 plus carriage overseas.  Cheque made payable to “Education Direct”.

OTHER

Quick Reads

Successfully launched in 2006, a new list of Quick Reads titles will be published to coincide with World Book Day in 2008.  Please check the Quick Reads section of the site later in the autumn for full details of the books and the accompanying promotion of Quick Reads activity.

General Queries to:

worldbookday@blueyonder.co.uk