More than 1,000 books will be up for grabs as part of World Book Day celebrations in North Tyneside.
The annual global celebration provides children of all ages the opportunity to receive a book through a token program which aims to promote reading.
At the heart of this year's events is the 'World Book Day in a Box' project, with North Tyneside’s library service offering 1,200 books in exchange for a £1 token.
The initiative runs from February 15 to March 31 at Wallsend and North Shields Libraries, where children can redeem their tokens obtained through schools, early years settings, and various children's magazines.
Research from 2023 revealed that parents in low literacy areas felt more comfortable exchanging their World Book Day token in a library setting without onward pressure to spend. Currently one in 15 children doesn’t have a book of their own, which rises to one in three for those receiving Pupil Premium support.
Councillor Hannah Johnson, Cabinet Member for Libraries, joined local author Daniel Tawse to launch the festivities at North Shields Library.
She said: “We're proud to support World Book Day and ensure every child has a chance to exchange their £1 token for a book. Our Wallsend and North Shields Community Hubs will have a special selection of books. It’s a fantastic opportunity for families to explore the wonderful world of books we have to offer.
“When kids have access to quality books, they get to experience the joy of reading for fun. It opens doors to new worlds, ideas, and experiences, supporting their overall health and wellbeing.”
Daniel, who hails from North Shields and is the author of All About Romance, said: “Getting young people reading is massively important, and that goes across all ages and genres. I’ve been in a school today talking about the importance of opening minds and exploring different possibilities. This scheme is brilliant and being able to come to an event and meet an author is something I wish I had when I was younger.”
Daniel Tawse will be part of a 'meet the author' event on Thursday, March 7, 5.45pm, at North Shields Library.
This is a free event open to anyone over the age of 14. There will be free Refreshments, sweets, and snacks and a chance to win a signed copy of Daniel’s Book, All About Romance.
Tickets can be booked for Daniel’s event here:
https://bookwhen.com/ntclibraries#focus=ev-s7vq-20240307174500
About World Book Day
World Book Day, turning 29 in 2024, stands as a global celebration of books and reading, originating from Unesco on April 23, 1995. With participation from over 100 countries, this annual event encourages readers to explore the world of books. To learn more about World Book Day and the £1 tokens, visit www.worldbookday.com.
