World Book Day for families
Reading for fun is seriously life-changing for children.
This World Book Day, you can help yours to see reading differently. Pick up their free books, get cosy and read to each other, listen to audiobooks together, and find your family’s own special way to make reading fun!
World Book Day
4th March 2027
Only
days to go!
Let’s inspire them to read for fun!
World Book Day books & tokens
Learn how children can choose and enjoy this year’s World Book Day books for free with their £1/€1.50 book tokens. Step-by-step guidance for parents and carers.
Get your World Book Day token
Our digital £1/€1.50 tokens will be available from February for your child to swap for a free World Book Day book.
Where to use your token
Find resources to support reading for fun at home all-year round. From crafting worksheets, sensory activities and more!
Accessible World Book Day books
A range of accessible formats is available for selected £1/€1.50 books, including large print, braille, audio, and dyslexia-friendly editions. Everyone can enjoy a book they love.
Dressing-up (your way)
Dressing up for World Book Day should be fun, inclusive and pressure‑free. A great costume doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated – it can be as simple as comfy clothes inspired by a favourite character or book.
Get involved
Discover events, activities and competitions to help your family celebrate World Book Day.
Fun and competitions
Take part in World Book Day competitions for a chance to win prizes and enjoy book-themed activities. Explore what’s on offer and join in the fun.
Events for families
Discover World Book Day events and find ways for your family to take part, meet authors and celebrate reading together.
Explore reading and wellbeing
We’re proud to partner with Jigsaw Education Group for 2026.
Our free school resources help children explore how reading supports their emotions, ideas and identities, celebrating every form of reading.
World Book Day shop
Our brand new World Book Day shop is now open for 2026!
Featuring a range of high quality clothing and accessories made from the finest materials, our t-shirts, hoodies, bags and more are available in bright colours and a range of kids and adult sizes.
Every purchase directly supports the work of the World Book Day charity.
What’s new, what’s fun, what’s free
There’s always something to dive into – interactive activities, audiobooks, and other fun reading resources.
Fun video stories
Watch short video stories with favourite characters and tips for reading together.
Elmer
The story is about an elephant, Elmer, who is born unlike other elephants; he is patchwork coloured.
Tales from Acorn Wood: Postman Bear
Join Bear and his friends for lots of fun in Acorn Wood with this bestselling story from the Tales from Acorn Wood series.
Free audiobooks
Try our new audiobooks for all ages. Great for families or solo story time.
Family FAQs
Can I use World Book Day’s logo and assets if I am not based in the UK?
We are a charity that operates in the UK, with a mission to promote reading for fun, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. We work to give more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings. Our annual celebration, World Book Day, is celebrated at the beginning of March every year.
Find out more information about UNESCO’s ‘World Book and Copyright Day’, which is celebrated internationally on 23 April. Many countries use the day to celebrate books and authors and encourage access to books, but these activities are not connected to us.
Find out more on our about us page.
How does the £1/€1.50 token exchange work for booksellers and publishers?
The £1/€1.50 token for book exchange is a contribution to World Book Day’s charitable purpose to encourage reading for pleasure. Nearly 1m children in the UK don’t have a book of their own. World Book Day’s £1/€1.50 books are the first book some children own (including 1 in 5 children receiving free school meals).
Publishers produce and pay for the costs of producing the £1/€1.50 books. Booksellers buy the £1/€1.50 books from publishers to gift to children in exchange for their £1/€1.50 book token. The £1/€1.50 is not reimbursed.
It’s important to World Book Day’s charitable purpose that children can access their books, using the token, for free.
Find out more about how booksellers can work with World Book Day.
How does World Book Day limit expense for families?
We want to make sure that all children, regardless of household income, can take part in World Book Day and be encouraged to read for fun. We suggest lots of ways to make sure World Book Day celebrations are inclusive, no-cost and fun for everyone. Visit £1/€1.50 book token and book and Celebrating World Book Day Resources for more.
My £1/ €1.50 book tokens haven’t arrived what do I do?
Please email [email protected] if you have not received your pack with your tokens.
How do I use the digital token?
Visit our digital token page for more information on how to use them.
How can I apply for a digital token?
Visit our digital token page for more information on how to use them.
How do children receive a World Book Day £1/€1.50 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.
Do you have copies of previous £1/€1.50 Books?
World Book doesn’t manage the stock of £1/€1.50 books, but some booksellers and supermarkets are able to donate leftover books to schools or community groups. Alternatively, your local library may have our £1/€1.50 books.
How does World Book Day work in Wales?
We work with Books Council Wales to have an exclusive £1 book title for Wales each year in the Welsh language and resources for teachers.
How does World Book Day work in the Republic of Ireland?
We work with partners in the Republic of Ireland ensure there are exclusive €1.50 titles for Ireland, including in the Irish language and materials for teachers. World Book Day materials, including €1.50 World Book Day book tokens are sent to schools in Ireland by the Irish Department of Education.
Please send enquiries to [email protected] about token packs.
How long is the £1/€1.50 token redemption period?
Children and families can start using their £1/€1.50 token from 12 February – 15 March 2026. Visit our £1/€1.50 token page for more information.
Can I use my World Book Day token online?
The World Book Day £1/€1.50 tokens cannot be used for online purchases.
What are the age ranges for the World Book Day £1/ €1.50 books?
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.
Find your local bookseller.
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 [email protected].
How to use the £1/€1.50 token and receive a £1/€1.50 book.
If your child has received a £1/€1.50 World Book Day token, they can take it to a participating bookseller and swap it for one of the £1/€1.50 books.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose one of the £1/€1.50 World Book Day books.
- Take the book and your token to the till.
- Hand over the token and receive the book at no cost.
The token can also be used to get £1/€1.50 off any full-price book or audiobook costing £2.99/€3.99 or more.
Schools and early years settings distribute the tokens to children and young people.
Find out more about how tokens work and where to use them on our tokens page.