A World Book Day teacher resource for KS2
Use music, rhythm and rhyme to help children share their enthusiasm for books and reading.
This resource uses MC Grammar’s World Book Day songs to inspire discussion, reflection and original writing.
Children listen to songs about books, talk about their own reading experiences, and create raps or songs rooted in what reading means to them.
Who this resource is for
This resource is designed for:
- Teachers working with KS2 children
- Whole-class, small-group or standalone sessions
- World Book Day or reading for fun activities across the year
Sessions can be taught in sequence or used independently.
Start with the songs
Begin by sharing the songs with your class. You can work with both songs or choose one as a focus.
Reading is Amazing
Wowsa! The World Book Day Song
Listening Ideas
- Let children listen without a task to become familiar with the song
- On a second listen, ask children to note books, characters or reading spaces they hear
- Invite partner talk about what stands out or feels memorable
- Listen again and discuss what children notice the third time
If helpful, share the lyrics and ask children to highlight book references they recognise and ones they do not.
Talk about the songs
Use discussion to deepen engagement and support comprehension.
Song Discussion
Ask children:
- How does the song make you feel?
- Would you share it with a friend? Why?
- Does it remind you of other music you know?
Purpose and Audience
Explore why the song was written.
- Who is it for?
- What message does it share about books and reading?
- How does music help people remember or feel persuaded?
Link this to how children already recommend books through talk, displays or reviews.
Reading memories
MC Grammar’s songs draw on memorable books, characters and reading experiences.
This activity helps children reflect on their own.
Use prompts such as:
- A place I loved reading
- The first book I remember
- A character I found interesting
- A book that made me feel something strongly
- A line or moment I remember
Children choose one memory to explore in more detail.
This can also be used as a free-writing or journalling prompt.
Explore rhythm and performance
Return to the songs to explore how they work.
You could:
- Clap or beat out the rhythm without words
- Compare the rhythm to other rhyming texts
- Look closely at layout, punctuation and line breaks
- Identify rhyme, repetition, alliteration or metaphor
Discuss how performance changes meaning and impact when a text is read aloud.
Write your own rap or song
Children now create their own writing inspired by reading.
Step 1: Choose a subject
Children pick a reading memory, book or idea they want to share.
Step 2: Collect words and rhymes
They list words linked to their subject and explore rhymes using their own ideas or a rhyming tool.
Step 3: Build verses
Children turn words into lines and experiment with rhyme patterns.
Rhyming words often work well at the end of each line.
Children can write individually or collaborate on a group song.
Reading aloud helps refine rhythm, clarity and flow.
Extend and perform
If time allows, children can:
- Add a beat or backing track
- Perform their rap or song to the class
- Record audio or video versions
- Share writing as part of a World Book Day celebration
This supports confidence, oracy and pride in reading.
Why this resource supports reading for fun
This approach:
- Links reading to music and creativity
- Values children’s own reading experiences
- Encourages choice, voice and expression
- Shows that books can inspire many forms of storytelling
Use it to celebrate reading in ways that feel joyful, social and meaningful.
Use of World Book Day resources
These resources are free to use for schools, early years settings, libraries, charities, and community groups celebrating World Book Day. Commercial organisations must have a partnership or licence agreement in place before using World Book Day assets. If you are interested in working with us, please contact partnerships@worldbookday.com.