World Book Day is almost here – and as always Cheshire West libraries have grand plans to celebrate the occasion.
Library teams have been busy organising fancy dress swap events and are now getting ready to exchange thousands of new books on Saturday 4th March.
The vouchers will be given out for free to children in schools, nurseries and other settings across the borough on Thursday 2nd March 2023, which is World Book Day.
The annual event is part of an international campaign, established in 1995 by UNESCO, to change lives through a love of books and reading.
It promotes reading for pleasure, and provides an opportunity for every child and young person to have a book of their own.
Council leader, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.
“The aim is to see more children with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure, and the improved life chances this brings them.”
Many children like to dress up as their favourite characters from books as part of the World Book Day celebrations, and this year local libraries in Cheshire West have been playing their part to help families exchange clothes so they don’t have to buy new.
Cllr Gittins said: “I’m delighted our fancy dress swap events have been such a success and helped this year’s celebrations, as many families are struggling to balance their household budget.”
The fancy dress swap events have seen more than 200 fancy dress outfits donated and many have already been swapped for free.
It means families can both save money and help the environment – and any remaining outfits will be donated to children’s centres and charity shops.
Cllr Gittins urged anyone, who isn’t already, to become a member of their local library.
She said: “Our library service would love children and those who accompany them to join while they visit.
“Joining is free of charge and simple, with no need for identification, and there are no late fees for the under 13s.”
World Book Day books
The full list of books available in exchange for the £1 book token is as follows:
Lifesize Creepy Crawlies by Sophy Henn
Billy’s Bravery by Tom Percival
Bedtime for Burpee Bears by Joe Wicks
You Choose Your Adventure by Pippa Goodhart
Dave Pigeon: Bookshop Mayhem by Swapna Haddow
The Marvel Spider-Man Pocketsize Guide by Catherine Saunders
The Boy With Wings: Rampaging Robot by Lenny Henry
Dragon Realm Adventure by Katies Tsang
Strangeworld Travel Agency by LD Lapinski
Kay’s Brilliant Brains by Adam Kay
Boot it by AM Dassu
Being an Ally by Shakirah Bourne
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 2nd March 2023
