World Book Day 2025: Virtual Events Round-Up 

On Thursday 6^th March it’s World Book Day once more and we’re looking forward to seeing how you all celebrate this important day. Please make sure to encourage your pupils to use their World Book Day book tokens, either towards a book of their choice, or to purchase a £1 book. In 2024, The National Literacy Trust Annual Survey found that for 25% of children and young people receiving Free School Meals, the £1 book they purchased with their World Book Day token was the first book they owned. 

We know that celebrating books and reading every day, including on World Book Day, is crucial for fostering lifelong literacy and much more. The National Literacy Trust’s survey showed a troubling decline in reading for pleasure, with only 34.6% of young people enjoying reading in their free time. This is compounded by the Reading Agency’s research that revealed that over a third of adults in the UK have given up reading for pleasure. However, at the same time the National Literacy Trust also found that engagement with audiobooks and podcasts is rising, suggesting that storytelling remains vital in young people’s lives. Indeed, this World Book Day, children can access free audiobooks on the World of Stories, sponsored by Yoto. Nevertheless, we have to do more. By celebrating reading every day we can ensure that reading remains a source of joy for everyone. World Book Day is just one way to do that. 

One of the ways we can make sure World Book Day has a real impact on reading for pleasure is by using it to introduce children to real authors and illustrators. We’re lucky that there are now so many free virtual events taking place in the days around World Book Day. From live-streamed author talks and virtual storytelling sessions to digital book clubs and creative writing workshops, these events can make reading real to pupils. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best virtual events happening this World Book Day, ensuring that every child has the chance to connect with stories and experience the magic of books. 

Monday 3^rd March   

10am – Scholastic – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

11am – Scholastic – David O’Connell

11am – British Library – Global Tales of Nature with Michael Rosen

1.30pm – Mr Dilly Meets – Jasbinder Bilan, Maria de Jong and Nicola Baker

2pm – Scholastic – Patrice Lawrence

Tuesday 4^th March 

11am – Authors Alive – Struan Murray

11am – Scholastic – Swapna Haddow

2pm – Scholastic – Michelle Robinson and Tom Knight 

Wednesday 5^th March 

10am – Scholastic – Lucy Edwards

11am – Scholastic – Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater

2pm – Scholastic – Samuel Sattin

Thursday 6^th March  

9.30am – National Literacy Trust – The Great Big World Book Day Footy and Booky Quiz

10am – Scholastic – Laura Baker

10.30am – Waterstones – Philippa Gregory

11am – BBC Teach Live Lesson

11am – Scholastic – Pamela Butchart

11.30am – Michael Rosen’s Free Request Show

1.30pm – World Book Day – Benjamin Dean  

2pm – Scholastic – Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan

Friday 7^th March 

10am – Halfway Up the Stairs – Junior World Book Day Event

10am – Scholastic – Thiago de Moraes

10.30am – Waterstones – MC Grammar

11am – Halfway Up the Stairs – Senior World Book Day Event 

11am – Scholastic – Jim Smith

Wednesday 12^th March 

10.30am – Waterstones – Jamie Hammond

We hope you find an event that will enthuse and engage your pupils with reading this World Book Day. However you decide to celebrate, please use it as a catalyst to prioritise reading every day of the year. For more ideas and support on how to do this contact our Literacy Team Leader, Laura Buczko.