Putting the Book in World Book Day 2020
Over the years, World Book Day has sadly become more about dressing up, than the love of books and appreciation of stories. At Honeybear Nursery we want to make sure that this day which is dedicated to books, is just that!
So why do we recognise World Book Day?
World Book Day was first created in 1995 by UNESCO, with an aim of promoting the reading and love of books. It is now celebrated in over 100 countries. The UK organiser’s website states “The 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”.
A recent report from The National Literacy Trust stated that:
- 9% of children and young people say that they don’t own or have a book of their own at home, a statistic that has remained static over the past year. This means that 1 in 11 children and young people in the UK miss the benefits of having their own books
- This ratio drops to 1 in 8 pupils who receive free school meals who told us that they don’t have a book of their own at home
- 24 is the average number of books owned by children and young people who say that they have books of their own at home
- Not only do fewer disadvantaged pupils say that they have a book of their own at home than their advantaged peers, but those who do have books of their own report fewer books than their more advantaged peers (39.8 vs. 52.6)
The National Literacy Trust also found that children who say they have a book of their own are three times more likely to read above the level expected for their age than their peers who don’t own a book.
In preparation for this year’s event, we have re-considered some alternatives to the norm and are looking to step back to a place where the LOVE of books and the POWER of stories is our focus!
While children are welcome to come to Nursery dressed as their favourite book character – we do not want to add any pressure to our parents to buy special costumes especially for World Book Day!
Our focus is a new appreciation of World Book Day – regaining the focus on the love of books and stories, instead of what outfit our little ones are wearing!
Here are a few more ideas and some useful alternatives
- Bedtime story hour 530pm-630pm. Please join us for Bedtime hour where parents, carers and children can come into Nursery dressed in their pyjamas. We will be serving warm milk and homemade healthy snacks. We look to share your favourite books and stories or poems. We will provide cushions with blankets &hope to have a wonderful evening of bedtime stories, with children wrapped up warm and cosy in pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers
- Let’s get creative – We will provide the children with a wealth of recycled resources, foil, cardboard, newspaper, paper, ribbon, Sellotape etc. Together we will create costumes and characters. We also have our own dressing up resources and will create our own stories and act our imaginations and extend creativity – all based around the children’s interest.
- Book Swap – We will be holding our very own book swap and ask parents/carers to lend a book or donate a pre-loved age-appropriate book to Nursery. Books can be swapped between children and families. This is purely about sharing a love of books we do not expect any parents to buy books or feel pressured to bring in a book.
- Lending Library – We have a box in our welcome area for children to borrow and return books. We welcome parents/carers to donate pre-loved books to share. Parents/carers are welcome to take a book, borrow a book or return and take a new one home. Children can access books freely, without constraints of getting to, joining or accessing a library.
- Book Treasures – Ask the children to bring in a treasure that represents a favourite book, e.g. a tiny star inspired by the book “To Catch a Star”.
Our aim is to encourage lots of conversation, chatter and sharing ideas and stories.
Remember the National Literacy Trust research shows that children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have good mental wellbeing than children who don’t enjoy reading
Finally, here are some great book quotes we love to share:
A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. – Neil Gaiman
There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favourite book.– Marcel Proust
“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall.” — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
“Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read.”
Enjoy World Book day everyone!
