World Book Day is funded by our sponsor National Book Tokens, a wide selection of publishers, and through other contributions, donations from a range of companies and fundraising.

You can see our annual accounts here.

You can find out more about how the World Book Day £1/€1.50 token and £1/€1.50 books exchange works here.

You can find out how to fundraise for us here.

Dressing up is an effective way to encourage children (particularly reluctant readers) to engage with reading. It can help children to express their personal reading choices and share reading recommendations. Children being dressed up also changes the learning environment to one which is more playful. If dressing up isn’t working chose alternatives rather than modifying dressing up – additional themes or rules are a distraction from the purpose of book recommendation. Visit our dressing up page for more.

On World Book Day, on March 7 2024, every child and family is invited to join the celebrations. This year, we’re inviting children to “Read Your Way”, and we want celebrations to be inclusive and fun for everyone. This year’s celebration materials include online events, new inspiring video content for home and the classroom, as well as resources to engage children in reading.

Children and families can start using their £1/€1.50 book token from 15 February – 31 March 2024. To know more about the £1/€1.50 book token click here. 

The World Book Day book tokens cannot be used for online purchases. Find your nearest participating retailer here.

All the World Book Day £1/€1.50 books are available in braille, large print, and audio with help from RNIB, Guide Dogs, Calibre Audio and Vision Ireland.

We aim to support readers who are dyslexic by asking publishers to ensure the books are printed on off-white paper with a high opacity to ensure all our books are accessible to all. If you’d like to know more or require one of these formats click here for more information.

Our partner charities BookTrust and Scottish Booktrust distribute the £1/€1.50 token to families as part of their programmes.

You can also find the World Book Day £1/€1.50 token in a range of children’s magazines. We also work with McDonald’s to include the token with Happy Meals.

World Book Day’s aim is for the books we present to be for all children and families, and particularly to offer a gateway into reading for those who don’t currently see themselves as readers. To find out more click here

All of World Book Day’s work is based around 6 evidence based elements which support a child to develop a Reading for Pleasure habit. These are: 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, making reading fun. All our resources, activities, events and work with partners uses these principles achieve our mission.

Read more about Our Approach here.

World Book Day’s mission is to offer every child the opportunity to have a book of their own. We believe that every child should have the experience of choosing and owning a book – for free.

We work with partners such as the National Literacy Trust and Read for Good to make an extra effort to reach children in areas of disadvantage.

If you are a school, you can get in contact with your local bookseller to talk through options for the £1/€1.50 token exchange. Some can arrange for the books to be brought or sent into school. 

Your local bookseller might be on a high street or a supermarket. If you have any questions, please email wbd@education.co.uk

Booksellers buy the £1/€1.50 books to gift to children in exchange for their £1/€1.50 book token.

The £1/€1.50 tokens and £1/€1.50 books give all children the chance to choose and own a book – for free.

World Book Day, in partnership with schools and others, distributes the £1/€1.50 World Book Day book tokens to children and young people.

Click here for more information.