World Book Day is on Thursday 5th March 2009. 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: www.unesco.org

« back to top

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.

« back to top

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 have been required to register to participate. For 2009, 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 2008.

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.

« back to top

The Book Token redemption period is:
Monday 2nd March – Sunday 29th March inclusive

« back to top

The Schools’ Pack, mailed to schools with the £1 Book Tokens from mid-January 2009 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.

« back to top

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.

« back to top

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 2009. For further information on this activity please visit the registration section of this site where establishments can register their details.

« back to top

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.

« back to top

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.

« back to top

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 it on:
amslattery@borders.co.uk

« back to top

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, or Gardners – to access books.  You will need to open an account and purchase books on the same basis as any other participating bookseller. You may also wish to organise a book club or fair; please note that Book Clubs and Fairs do not stock the £1 Books.

« back to top

Please visit the Participating Bookshops section on this site in early 2009 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, Woolworth’s and Sainsbury’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. 

« back to top

Discussions are being held now to decide on a suitable and practical date for 2010 and the date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed. It is likely to be the first Thursday in March 2010, but do please check at www.worldbookday.com again towards the end of March 2009 for confirmation.

« back to top

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”.

« back to top

• 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

« back to top

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

« back to top

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

« back to top