Everything you need to know about World Book Day’s® flagship event in Liverpool

National reading charity World Book Day® is teaming up with Shared Reading charity The Reader for flagship UK celebration on Thursday 5 March. Families are invited to join in the fun at The Reader’s home in beautiful Calderstones Park, Liverpool. Here’s what to expect:

1) Book signings with World Book Day 2026 children’s authors and illustrators

Join World Book Day ambassador MC Grammar and top children’s authors and illustrators selected for World Book Day® 2026 including award-winning Jamie Smart, Hannah Gold and Serena Patel at The Reader’s home at Calderstones Park, Allerton – along with costume characters Bunny vs Monkey, Peppa Pig and a magical unicorn from Unicorn Academy.

The full line-up of much-loved £1 book authors and illustrators onsite will be Paddy Donnelly, Hannah Gold, Jamie Smart, Matt Oldfield, Serena Patel, Sheena Dempsey and Sibéal Pounder and Katie Blackburn.

Book signings will take place for pupils from local schools during the day and members of public in the Reader Bookshop between 3.30pm - 5pm.

2) 12 brilliant new World Book Day releases available to pick up with £1 book tokens

Children can use their £1 book tokens to choose one of 12 titles released this year for World Book Day 2026 at the Reader bookshop until 6pm. They include the latest comic creation by best-selling author Jamie Smart (winner of the Illustrated Children’s Book Award at the British Book Awards 2024), Bunny vs Monkey: Total Chaos, and the sixth children’s book by Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The former EastEnders actress, who’s been deaf since birth, became a household name in 2021 when she was Strictly Come Dancing’s first deaf contestant, will be launching World Book Day on BBC Breakfast on Thursday 5 March. Rose collaborated with writer Katie Blackburn and award-winning author/illustrator Paddy Donnelly on The Big Bang!  - an Early Year's story about a deaf kitten and his kitten friends who get scared by a storm. Both Katie and Paddy will be making an appearance at The Reader. For the full list of WBD 2026 titles visit here.

Alternatively, children have until 15 March 2026 to exchange their £1 or use it as a £1 contribution towards any full-priced book or audiobook at participating retailers.

3) Invent a Wonka Bar! A World Book Day creative workshop with Sibéal Pounder

This World Book Day, join Chaos at the Chocolate Factory author Sibeal Pounder for a creative craft session where children become brilliant Wonka inventors. They will design their own chocolate bar wrapper, dream up wildly wonderful ingredients, and decide the magical effect their bar will unleash - flying fizz, invisibility caramel or giggle-inducing goo? Perfect for families with children aged 7+.

4) Children’s Silent Disco with special appearance by MC Grammar

A silent disco will run from 4pm– 6pm - think bubbles, fancy dress, confetti cannons and guest MC Grammar, as well as a party host. Entry is free. (This event is now sold out).

5) World Book Day Drop-in Storybarn sessions and Bookshop Bedtime Stories

Families and carers with babies and young children can explore hundreds of beautiful, hand-picked children's books, get creative in the craft room, encourage little ones to dress up as their favourite character, or climb into a hot air balloon and meet a giant robot at The Reader’s family play space The Storybarn between 9.30am - 4pm. 

The day will draw to a close with a special World Book Day Bookshop Bedtime Stories session in the Reader Bookshop between 5pm – 6pm. If any children want to bring their PJs there will be plenty of cosy blankets to wind down after all the excitement.

Find out more at: Celebrate World Book Day at The Reader - The Reader

For media enquiries, contact comms@thereader.org.uk