World Book Day 2024
World Book Day this year was once again a celebration of children’s authors and book giveaways – over five and a half thousand books were gifted via Manchester Libraries, schools and community events hosted by our much-loved Literacy Champions.
World Book Day is an important annual event in Manchester Libraries and the Read Manchester calendar, promoting the importance of reading for pleasure and offering children and young people the opportunity to have a book of their own. For many families facing financial difficulties due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, buying books is not a priority. Book ownership has a positive impact on reading habits, increases future success, improving life chances.
This year, a whopping 5,518 free books were gifted via partnerships with Libraries, schools and a community book giveaway at Wythenshawe Forum. Picture books were given to Storytime attendees and children redeemed books in exchange for a voucher at local Libraries.
As part of Read Manchester’s Kickstarter support programme, ten primary schools were gifted 1,080 World Book Day books for children in years 1 and 2, ensuring they received an actual book, rather than a token to exchange.
Author Faridah Abike-Iyimede paid a visit to Chorlton High school to talk about her book Where Sleeping Girls Lie, and Cedar Mount and Chorlton High School South were treated to creative writing workshops hosted by talented local young adult author of Happy Head, Josh Silver. Cedar Mount year 9 teacher commented on the session:
One boy said, ‘I really want to read that book’ referring to Happy Head. He is a reluctant reader, so this was very heartening.
Over 500 Manchester primary school children were lucky enough to join in with celebrated author Nick Sharratt’s interactive sessions hosted in three libraries. A teacher form Abbott Community Primary schools speaks of the session’s impact on the children:
Children and teachers loved the session. It was very engaging, educational and an enriching experience for children who wouldn’t usually get the opportunity to meet a well-known illustrator. The children are now very excited about finding books by Nick Sharratt and reading them since the session.
Saviour CofE Primary school received a generous donation of books in time for World Book Day, brought to them in person by two representatives of local law from Lewis Silkin. Year 6 reading cadets were excited to dive in and sort the books for the school’s two Life Changing Libraries. Read Manchester also donated fifty books for the opening of Chorlton CofE library on World Book Day.
A crew of Literacy Champions came down to Wythenshawe Forum on World Book Day, to support Read Manchester’s community book giveaway. They chatted to people on the concourse, sharing their love of reading and gifted books to adults and children. Local author Aoife Greenham shared a reading of her picture book Big Dance with local primary school classes visiting Forum Library.
All in all, another fabulous World Book Day was had by all involved!
