Reading & Libraries
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Published 7th March 2024
Mansfield Central Library hosted a special World Book Day® event to grow a community of young readers.
Mansfield Central Library was one of 20 libraries
receiving funding to deliver an exciting event to encourage children to read
for pleasure.
Local school children from Asquith Primary and Mansfield Primary Academy met authors,
Rob Biddulph and Rex Stone and exchanged their World Book Day® £1 token for a £1 book – for free!
As part of this year’s World Book Day® celebrations, Mansfield Central Library hosted an exciting event bringing books and the enjoyment of reading to the children. The event – a partnership project between the charity and UK libraries, and funded by Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme, and Julia and Hans Rausing – took place on Friday 23rd February, ahead of World Book Day’s annual celebration on Thursday 7th March 2024.
The fun-filled event saw children meet two of this year’s World Book Day authors – Rob Biddulph, author of Charlie McGrew and the Horse That He Drew, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books and Rex Stone (Jane Clarke), author of Dinosaur Club: On the Trail of the T.rex illustrated by Louise Forshaw, published by DK*. Elmer, the iconic colourful elephant also made a surprise appearance. Children enjoyed workshops, readings, and games – all with World Book Day’s unique fun and celebratory atmosphere.
The event is part of the charity’s mission to improve children’s access to books and provide them with opportunities to develop a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure.
Forest Town Library have also received copies of the World Book Day £1 books donated by their respective publishers, enabling the library to become an exchange hub during the token redemption period (until 31st March) so that children can exchange their £1 World Book Day book token for a £1 book of their choice – for free.
"We are excited to be one of the 20 libraries working with World Book Day this year to host local school children at Mansfield Central Library and have fun with books and reading. Reading is at the heart of Inspire and we celebrate the goal to give children the chance and choice to enjoy reading in our libraries across Nottinghamshire. We share the vision to support children to read for pleasure and actively implement the World Book Day principles through our services which support and encourage children to read at home and in school."
"With reading for pleasure is at its lowest level since 2005, our charity’s mission to change lives through a love of reading is more vital than ever. We are grateful to Arts Council England and Julia and Hans Rausing, and our partnering publishers for their generous support to help bring books to children across the country. Libraries are full of reading joy and discovery. We look forward to seeing more children enjoy their reading adventures with libraries this World Book Day.“
About World Book Day
World Book Day is a charity that changes lives through a love of books and reading. Our mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. 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. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them. Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. www.worldbookday.com
