Thursday 5 March 2026
The Reader has partnered with the charity World Book Day® for a fun-filled day of stories, silliness, special guests and surprises for schools and families. Taking place during the National Year of Reading, children will take part in author and illustrator talks and signings, creative craft activities, competitions and a silent disco all designed to make reading feel exciting, playful and pressure-free.
Storybarn Drop-In
Let your imagination roam and visit the magical Storybarn – our imaginative play space for families. Explore hundreds of beautiful hand-picked children’s books, get creative in our craft room, dress up as your favourite character, cuddle up in a cosy corner or climb into our hot air balloon and meet a giant robot. It’s the perfect way to explore the Storybarn for yourself.
The Storybarn, 9.30am – 4pm
Drop-in tickets are FREE on World Book Day and can be purchased on the door
Silent Disco
Groove like a Gruffalo, wiggle like a Wild Thing and march like Matilda – join us to celebrate World Book Day with a boogie for all the family! We’ll provide the headsets, and you choose your favourite channel. Featuring a special appearance from World Book Day® Ambassador MC Grammar, surprise guests and lots of fun.
Theatre Room, 4pm – 6pm
This event is FREE, but you must have a ticket to join the party!
After School Fun
We’ll be rounding off the 2026 World Book Day celebrations with storytelling, crafts, special guests and surprises. Both of our cosy cafes will be open late serving hot food, snacks and drinks.
Mansion House, 4pm – 6pm
FREE, drop-in
The Reader Bookshop
Our beautiful independent bookshop will be open all day (and until late especially for World Book Day) to give you extra time to use your £1 World Book Day tokens. We’ll also be joined by some of the 2026 World Book Day authors and illustrators for signings, as well as special guests. Full schedule will be announced soon!
The Reader Bookshop, 10am – 6pm
FREE entry, drop-in
FREE Events for Schools!
In an action-packed day of events for local schools, joined by World Book Day ambassador MC Grammar and a line-up of much-loved £1 book authors including Hannah Gold, Jamie Smart, Matt Oldfield, Serena Patel, Sheena Dempsey and Sibéal Pounder. Together, they will encourage children to explore books in ways that spark curiosity, imagination and confidence.
These events are fully booked
Our work with Children & Young People
The Reader inspires lifelong love of reading among children and young people through a thoughtful events programme packed full of creativity in our magical playspace The Storybarn. This runs alongside key flagship projects including Reading Heroes, where care-experienced children aged two-15 are paired with highly trained volunteers to enjoy the magic of reading aloud together, and First Page, building confidence for adults (parents, carers and Early Years professionals) to read aloud with babies and young children
READ MORE ABOUT OUR PROJECTS
About World Book Day
World Book Day is the reading for fun charity and exists to help children fall in love with reading. By creating joyful, inclusive experiences, it shows children that reading isn’t a test or a chore, but something exciting and empowering. Over 2 million books are gifted to children during World Book Day and for one in five children – one in four children on free school meals – a World Book Day title is the first book they own.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORLD BOOK DAY
