VISION
More children, from all backgrounds, developing a life-long habit of reading for pleasure, benefiting from the improved life chances this brings them.

MISSION
To promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.

What World Book Day achieved in 2021:

• Over 2 million books were printed in 2021 giving children and young people 12 exciting books to choose from and own,
• 54k books donated by publishers were distributed via the National Literacy Trust to children least likely to have books along with 24k books to prison communities, 2.4k through Read for Good and 2.4k through libraries,
• 1 in 5 children receiving free school meals said the book they ‘bought’ with their WBD book token was the first book they had of their own,
• Engaged 133k children and young people online with our Share a Story Live digital events programme,
• We made an impact: 65% of early years settings and 70% primary schools said World Book Day is effective in fostering a reading for pleasure culture.

Research found that 96.9% of children have heard of World Book Day and children who participate in World Book Day activities are more engaged in reading and books than those who don’t.

Read more about the difference World Book Day makes in Our Impact 2021.

NB Some of our figures (for example £1 Token redemptions) are incomplete due to the COVID-19 lockdown.