Children across Ireland are being asked to “read their way” on World Book Day this year.
The annual celebration kicked off across Ireland today and aims to improve reading rates among young people.
A survey commissioned by World Book Day found one in two children do not enjoy reading in Ireland, the lowest level since 2005.
They also found reading enjoyment is lowest among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Bring the fun
World Book Day CEO Cassie Chadderton said they are hoping to turn things around this year.
“Our aim for World Book Day 2024 is to bring the fun of reading to more children, to celebrate their choices and encourage everyone to ‘Read Their Way,’” she said.
“Fewer children and their families are enjoying reading, just when the life-changing benefits are needed most.”
Curious boy reading book. Image: Dmytro Zinkevych / Alamy Stock PhotoWorld Book Day will be distributing 15 million book tokens across the UK and Ireland this year in schools, nurseries, libraries, prisons and other charities.
These are valued at €1.50 and can be used in bookstores or exchanged for one of 15 books across a wide range of genres.
Two exclusive books for the Irish market are available this year, ‘Inis Mara’ and ‘The Curious Case of the Irish Yeti: Molly Malone and Bram Stoker.’
Recommendations
World Book Day recommends five tips for parents to help their children enjoy reading.
1. Being read to regularly
2. Having books at home and at school
3. Having a choice in what to read
4. Finding time to read
5. Having trusted help to find a book
McDonald’s will also be supporting World Book Day 2024 across all its Irish outlets with a special range of Happy Meal boxes that come with book tokens.
For more information on how to get involved this year go to www.worldbookday.com
Main image: A pile of children's books. Image: Sam Stephenson / Alamy Stock Photo
