On Thursday, 5th March, children across our Trust came together to celebrate the magic of reading as we marked World Book Day 2026. The day was filled with excitement and imagination as pupils arrived dressed as their favourite characters - from classic storybook heroes to much‑loved modern icons.
Throughout the day, children immersed themselves in stories, sharing books with friends, enjoying read‑aloud sessions and exploring new worlds through the pages of their favourite titles. Classrooms buzzed with creativity as pupils embraced the joy of reading and celebrated the power that books have to inspire, connect and transport us.
World Book Day’s mission is simple yet powerful: to promote reading for fun and ensure every child has the opportunity to own a book of their very own. Research shows that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success - more significant than family circumstances, parental education or household income.
Activities Across Our Trust
All our schools celebrated World Book Day with a wide range of exciting activities, including:
- Book fairs giving children the chance to browse and choose new stories to take home.
- Buddy reading sessions, where older and younger pupils paired up to share books together.
- Dressing up as book characters, with brilliant creativity shown across classrooms (and even among staff!).
- Visits to care homes, where pupils shared stories with residents and enjoyed intergenerational conversations.
- Craft and activity sessions, bringing books to life through art, design and hands‑on creativity.
- Author visits, inspiring pupils with talks, workshops and insights into the world of writing.
And so much more! Our schools truly embraced the magic of reading on this wonderful day.
Promoting a Love of Reading at Home: Tips for Families
To keep the excitement of World Book Day going beyond the classroom, here are some simple ways families can continue supporting reading at home:
Create a daily reading habit: Even 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference to children’s enjoyment and confidence.
Let children choose what they read: Comics, magazines, graphic novels and fact books all count—choice boosts motivation.
Read together whenever you can: Shared reading helps develop vocabulary, comprehension and connection.
Explore audiobooks: Listening to stories builds imagination and supports reluctant readers.
Make books visible at home: A small reading corner or a rotating selection of books can make reading inviting.
Talk about stories: Discuss characters, predictions and favourite moments to deepen understanding and enjoyment.
