World Book Day 2025
6th March
World Book Day is almost here! The day was first celebrated in 1996, encouraging children from all backgrounds to read for their own enjoyment.
Reading can have an amazing effect on us and how we interact with others. Through books, we explore and learn to understand other people’s emotions and experiences. This can help us to feel empathy for others in real life.
In fact, a 2016 study showed that, after reading a short story, people showed a 10-15% improvement in their ability to correctly identify emotions in others.
Reading can also help us to relax. Everyone loves getting lost in a good story! Sitting down with a book can help us unwind, especially at the end of a stressful day.
Books also open up children’s worldview. By engaging with cultures and experiences different from their own, children can increase their understanding of others which breeds tolerance and compassion.
World Book Day Challenge
Our World Book Day-themed challenge is a super fun one! Did you know you can write a story with just TEN words? That’s what ye’d like you to do this month, inspired by Joseph Coelho’s book ‘Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love’!
Watch our video for all the details and use our challenge activity sheet if you wish.
Deadline: 29th March 2025
5-day Activity Planner
If you prefer a more in-depth activity, we have also created a five-day activity plan for your class (ideas suitable for EYFS – KS2) based on ‘Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love’ by Joseph Coelho. Linking to PSHE as well as literacy and art, at the end of the five days, your children will have written and illustrated their own ten-word story.
If you don’t have the book, you can still use the idea as we have included some examples in the attached plan for you to share with your class.
How to celebrate World Book Day
World Book Day costumes
Over the years, children and teachers have dressed up as book characters, enjoyed author visits, and taken part in reading events in schools and libraries to celebrate World Book Day.
Dressing up as a book character and stepping into their shoes for a day is a great way to promote children’s understanding of others and – let’s face it – it’s a lot of fun!
Matilda, from Roald Dahl’s Matilda
In Dahl’s beloved book, little Matilda is a kind and empathetic girl who uses her intelligence to help others and stand up against injustice.
Kids can dress up as a schoolgirl with a book for this simple costume.
Charlotte from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Webb
In this book, Charlotte the spider works tirelessly to save her friend Wilbur the pig through selfless acts of kindness.
Children can create a make-shift web and dress up in a brown costume.
The Velveteen Rabbit from Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit
The story of the Velveteen Rabbit is all about a rabbit who, through love and affection, becomes a real rabbit.
Kids can make bunny-ears at home and dress in a beige outfit and a red cardigan to resemble this furry character.
The Rainbow Fish from Marcus Pfister’s The Rainbow Fish
In this popular story, the Rainbow Fish learns that true happiness comes from sharing with others.
Kids can dress up in a multi-coloured outfit, perhaps with makeshift rainbow ‘scales’ from tinfoil.
Kind books for World Book Day
There are some incredible books focusing on kindness and empathy, making them ideal choices for World Book Day. Here are some interviews we’ve had with amazing authors of some of our favourite kind books…
Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or Do They?
Ages 3-6
Arthur dreams of being a mega-fast and strong superhero with the ability to fight and banish the baddie next door. But when Grandpa explains that the best superheroes actually save the day by being kind, Arthur realises that we all have a superpower inside and that an act of kindness, no matter how small, really can change the world.
By Kate Thompson
The Boy With Flowers in His Hair
Ages 4-10
David is the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle, just like his petals. But when David’s flowers begin to fall – a single petal at first, then every last blossom – his best friend never leaves his side. And through kindness and creativity, he even finds a way to give David his colour back… Beautifully illustrated, this story is about being there for someone when they’re at their most vulnerable.
By Jarvis
I’m (Almost) Always Kind
Ages 5-7
Being kind is super important, but it isn’t always easy. Using a goodhearted, enthusiastic little boy’s perspective, a lot of sensitivity and a little gentle humour, this story explores the potential pitfalls of trying to be kind, and what being kind really means. To be truly kind, it turns out, you have to try to look at things from other people’s points of view.
By Anna Milbourne.
World Book Day Activities for Children
Storytelling circle
Children can sit in a circle and take turns telling a story from a book they’ve read. Teachers can introduce different themes, like kindness, friendship and empathy, for the stories.
Kind book swap
Children bring in a book about kindness that they’ve already read, and exchange it with a friend. This can help children explore a range of new books and promote sharing among their friends.
Letters to book characters
Children can write a letter to a book character of their choice, explaining how they feel the character helped their friends and spread kindness.
Join our World Book Day Challenge!
We have a World Book Day Challenge coming soon, containing a video and interactive activity for children. Join our free Kids’ Kindness Club and you’ll be the first to hear about it!
Stay tuned!
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