On World Book Day many children are celebrating books and reading by dressing up as their favourite characters and holding book related events in school. This week many authors and illustrators have been visiting schools or doing Skype visits – it’s a real celebration of books, you can find out more about World Book Day on the website.
Books and reading play a huge role in our house, we have read to our daughter since she was a baby and she’s now a huge bookworm. We have always read regularly in front of her to role model our love of reading (one of my favourite parental activities!) which has had a very positive influence. However, many children don’t have parents who read regularly to them or in front of them so World Book Day aims to enthuse new readers as well as celebrate those who already enjoy reading.
Many stories include characters that are great role models for reading and we have made a list of our favourite books about books and reading. Do you have any more to add?
I Don’t Like Books. Never. Ever. The End. by Emma Perry and Sharon Davey
Mabel doesn’t like books and does everything that she can with them except read them. But one night her books rebel and pull her inside them. We love the way that she becomes a little bookworm after a range of characters draw her into their adventures and leave her wanting to read more.
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is a real celebration of book love and includes characters that children will identify with, including a pirate, Goldilocks, a greedy crocodile, a wicked jewel thief and an astronaut. Through the different characters the reader is also introduced to different types of book e.g fairytales, joke books, non fiction books, encyclopaedias and magazines. Libraries and bookshops also get a mention in the story.
The Princess and the Giant by Caryl Hart and Sarah Warburton
Princess Sophie does her best to help the giant go to sleep and finally discovers that books are the answer. But the giant isn’t satisfied with listening to stories, he wants to learn to read them himself! I love the way that this rhyming story advocates the enjoyment that stories can bring and shows the joy of learning to read.
Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie
Ralfy dreams about books and his obsession leads to him stealing books from people’s houses, including Arthur’s. PC Puddle catches Ralfy redhanded and when he takes part in an identity parade his book obsession unmasks him as the thief. Kindhearted Arthur feels sorry for Ralfy and introduces him to the library, the perfect place for a book bunny to spend his time.
Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson
Otto lives in a book and when nobody is around he comes to life. When the owners of his house move they leave him behind. Otto packs his bag, finds a library, meets Ernest, another book bear, and lots of other book creatures. Otto is delighted that he has found somewhere to read, write, make new friends and meet new readers and his happiest times are when children read his book.
The Missing Bookshop by Katie Clapham and Kirsti Beautyman
Mrs Minty’s bookshop plays an important role in Milly’s life and Milly is devastated when it closes down. But where has Mrs Minty gone? Can Milly find a way to ensure that the bookshop of her dreams will open again? This is a lovely celebration of the importance of bookshops.
The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop and Ashley King
Property Jones lives in a bookshop but she’s keeping a secret, she can’t read. However, it doesn’t stop her from coming up with a plan to save The Montgomery Book Emporium from the evil Eliot Pink who has a secret of his own!
Matilda by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake
We couldn’t have a list of books about books without mentioning Matilda! We love this little bookworm, who reads to escape from her bingo loving mother and her car salesman father. This is a story that proves that books and reading have the power to change your life.
We have more favourites on our 2015 World Book Day blogpost. Do you have any more books about books and reading to add to our list? We’d love to see your suggestions in the comments.
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