World Book Day falls on Thursday, 2 March in the UK and is one of the highlights of the National Literacy Trust’s year.
The trust annually celebrates authors, books and the joy of reading. Confusingly, the UK date differs from the date of the international event. It was changed for the UK in 1998 because it clashed with St. George’s Day as well as the Easter school holidays. The theme this year is ‘You are a reader’ and its focus is children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This day of fun promotes all varieties of the written word, including sharing stories and the joy of reading. Children are also encouraged to dress up as characters from literature.
In keeping with this theme, Vale Verde International School (VVIS) in Burgau is encouraging all primary pupils to read at every opportunity. Volunteers from the secondary school, willing and able literature students from KS4/5, are giving up some breaks, lunchtimes and their time before and after school to mentor the younger ones by listening and helping them read.
This year is an important literary milestone as it marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s first folio. Celebrations to mark this event will take place in Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon and at VVIS. Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be the school’s International World Book Day theme. On Friday 21 April, the play’s characters will come alive through the performing arts and a literary afternoon which promises to highlight literature from all genres. With fun, costumes, competitions, LAMDA-style performances and certificates, this aims to be a positive promotion of literature throughout the day.
www.boothwood.leics.sch.uk/post/world-book-day-2023-and-reading-competition
