World Book Day – A Parent’s Guide to Celebrating with Under-5s

World Book Day is one of the most magical dates on the calendar for children and parents alike. Taking place on the first Thursday of March in the UK* (6 March for 2025), this annual celebration is all about inspiring a love of books and storytelling. But how can you make the most of it with your little one? Here’s a handy guide to help you embrace the joy of reading with toddlers and preschoolers!

What is World Book Day?

World Book Day is a special charitable event, celebrated globally, that encourages children of all ages to discover the joy of reading. Why? Because reading has the power to substantially improve children’s lives. Schools, nurseries, and libraries across the nation make the day extra special for children through storytelling sessions, fancy dress, and book-related activities.

“Reading for fun is the single biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and more successful life – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational backgrounds or their income.” — World Book Day

As part of the event, children under 18 in the UK can also receive a £1 book token. They can spend this on any one of the special World Book Day books allocated to the event. Alternatively, children can put the £1 token towards another full-price book or audiobook of their choice, costing £2.99 or more, from participating UK booksellers. By the way, tokens cannot be redeemed against online purchases.

The 2025 closing date for redemption of the book tokens is the 23rd of March. Don’t worry if you are too late or would like additional books for your child without incurring significant costs — you can also organise book swaps with friends, neighbours and family at any time of the year.

The ‘Read Your Way’ Approach to Children’s Reading Success

It’s important that children choose their books. That’s because this has been shown to increase the child’s enjoyment and engagement with the book. Indeed, it’s a key reason for the event’s new ‘Read Your Way’ approach. This allows children to discover and enjoy books and reading on their own terms, without judgement, pressure, or expectation. In this way, it’s reading for pleasure and puts an end to reading being perceived by little ones as ‘work’. Here are the six key ingredients of the ‘Read Your Way’ approach for children’s reading:

1. Find time for your little one to read.
2. Read with them regularly.
3. Make reading fun!
4. Let your child choose which book(s) to read.
5. Ensure there are books at home as well as at nursery/school.
6. Ensure your child has trusted help to find a suitable book.

The Magic of Books for Under-Fives

For young children, books aren’t just about learning to read — they’re about sparking imagination, building vocabulary, and learning to love stories. Even toddlers who can’t yet read benefit hugely from being read to, pointing at pictures, and engaging with characters in their favourite books.

Reading with your child every day, even for a few minutes, helps develop their language skills and creates a wonderful bonding experience. Plus, it sets the foundation for a lifelong love of books. That is incredibly important. Learn more about the enormous benefits of reading with children here.

How to Celebrate World Book Day with Young Children

Are you looking for ways to make World Book Day extra fun and engaging for your little one? If so, here are some simple ideas:

• Dress up as a favourite character! There’s no need for elaborate costumes; a simple hat, crown, or themed outfit inspired by a beloved book character can bring your child’s favourite stories to life.
• Create a cosy reading and storytelling corner! It’s easy to make a comfy nook with cushions, blankets, and child-safe fairy lights where you and your child can snuggle up together with a book. We even have a whole post about the wonders of a good storytelling corner or nook.
• Bring stories to life with some simple ideas like using silly voices, props, or even puppets to make storytelling extra engaging.
• Visit a library or bookshop with your child. It’s a great way to make choosing a book feel like an adventure and, as per the ‘Read Your Way’ approach for this year’s World Book Day event, ensure your child gets to pick the book.
• Make reading interactive too by asking your child questions about the pictures, encouraging them to predict what happens next, or letting them turn the pages.
• Children might also enjoy inventing and telling their own short stories. They can also get creative by designing a book cover or illustrating the unfolding story.
• If your little one has older siblings, World Book Day is also a great opportunity for them to read to their younger brother or sister. It’s a lovely bonding activity and helps build confidence in early readers.

Make Every Day a Story Day

World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate reading, but the love of books doesn’t have to stop there! Try to incorporate stories into your child’s daily routine, whether it’s a bedtime book, a story at lunchtime, or a quick picture book during a break. As we said before, accomplishing a love of reading in a child is the single biggest sign that they will grow up happier and more successful. So, grab a book, find a comfy spot with your child, and let the adventure begin! Happy World Book Day!

Childcare for Under-5s at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

A High-Quality Childcare Service for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Interaction with books is something we strongly encourage at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green — we know just how important books and reading are to the success and happiness of the little ones. Put simply, books and reading with children supercharges them for success!

Little Acorns is a good childcare provider as confirmed by Ofsted. It’s a wonderful setting where children are nurtured in every area of their learning and development. With our approach, they become the best versions of themselves, ready to hit the ground running when they leave us to begin school. We support Government-funded childcare funding schemes too, including free childcare for children as young as just 9 months for eligible families. To apply for a place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, please get in touch today:

Little Acorns Nursery is in Hindley Green, near Wigan, Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, and Bolton.

^{* Across the world, many countries celebrate World Book Day on the 23rd of April. However, the UK organisers moved the date to the first Thursday of March each year so as to avoid a clash with the Easter holidays and St George’s Day.}