The Bookseller Children’s Conference had been the first of its kind that I had attended, albeit from the comfort of my living room. Throughout the day, there were many discussions: from minority representation in children’s books, to the trailblazing sensation of TikTok. The session, “World Book Day and Beyond,” emphasised the importance of reading in childhood, and why we should encourage children to enjoy it. This was a particular interest of mine, because it’s a subject that is close to my heart. 

From all the academic reading I have done at university, I have noticed that when it comes to reading for pleasure, I must either be in the right mood, or have the perfect book for escapism. Sometimes I find myself reminiscing about the simplicity of childhood, and the joys of bedtime.

Sporting my Finding Nemo pyjamas and cuddling Flopsy the rabbit, my parents would take turns to read to me. My dad was brilliant at putting on voices, and frequently introduced additional characters. A recurring extra was Chubby Morrison, whose personality was very much akin to his name. From this nightly ritual, I developed a love of library and bookshop visits, and always had “new books” on my Christmas list. The charity, World Book Day, suggests that bedtime stories can establish a reading habit that may last through to adulthood. This is certainly true for myself, as reading is a love of mine that has not yet dwindled.

Photo by olia danilevich on Pexels.com

In the age of iPad kids, it’s perhaps a wonder why children would choose to read when surrounded by so many digital temptations. Events like World Book Day are crucial in making children want to. During her segment “World Book Day and Beyond,” WBD’s Chief Executive, Cassie Chadderton, described the main goal of the event being to encourage all children to read for pleasure. In the UK, pupils attend school dressed as a character from their favourite story, and are given a £1 book token. It’s a day packed with fun activities, all with the purpose of celebrating books. 

“Reading for pleasure is their superpower…”

Cassie Chadderton, World Book Day 2022

Among the typical indicators of children’s success, such as education and parental income, Chadderton stated that reading for pleasure actually “…makes the most difference to a child’s future circumstances.” Studies indicate that this pastime is highly beneficial for children’s emotional wellbeing and educational development. Due to this, it’s crucial that reading is made not only appealing, but accessible to all. There is emphasis on reaching children who perhaps have a different home environment to what I experienced, parents who aren’t big readers, or families with economic struggles. WBD facilitates this by ensuring every child can experience having a book of their own.

All in all, World Book Day is fun. Its fancy dress element creates a sense of excitement, while providing a space to engage with peers and share ideas. Any event that presents reading as a fun, inclusive, and healthy activity can only create positive outcomes; and I believe that every child deserves equal opportunities to have their lives enriched by books. For me, I look forward to a free evening, a quiet train journey, or to the holidays so I can get stuck into a good book again. I believe that I have my parents to thank; and for this, I am grateful.