World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and Ireland. At KSBKids we get many enquires. This year we seem to have specialised in  ”Where’s Wally”  ………. apparently our children’s clothes especially our stripy children’s tops perfect for “Where’s Wally”.  

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. The origins of the day we now celebrate in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St. George’s Day – a tradition started over 80 years ago.

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading. A main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. 

World Book Day Ltd is a registered charity whose financing of World Book Day comes mainly from contributing publishers, the generous sponsorship of National Book Tokens Ltd, some literacy partnerships and other supporters, as well as the participating booksellers who fund the entire cost of Book Token redemption.

Most large chains – WH Smith, Waterstone’s, Borders, Blackwells etc and many independent booksellers are participating, as are a number of school book clubs – Puffin, Scholastic, Usborne Books At Home and Books for Children. Tesco’s Supermarkets and Sainsbury’s supermarkets are also participating, – though check before making a journey that your local store is participating.