World Book Day, the annual national celebration of reading and books, is on Thursday 6th March this year! Children’s books are sold at £1 each and, as well as the usual 12 titles to choose from across the UK, there will also be 2 exclusive books for Ireland, and a Welsh title. Thousands of booksellers and supermarkets are taking part, and books have been available since 13th February.
Over 50 million vouchers will be issued. Schools will be sent vouchers to distribute to children and, this year, the WBD team will be working with McDonald’s to give away book vouchers with Happy Meals. Please check https://booksellers.org.uk/wbd for information about local retailers, and information about ways to redeem the token. (Vouchers are valid until 23rd March 2025.)
Many publishers traditionally allow their staff to have a ‘volunteer day’ away from the office, distributing free books in the community, at schools and nurseries, and also inside prisons.
The £1 books are also available in braille, large print and audio editions. If you require one of these formats, please contact:
RNIB – for braille and audio versions – 0303 123 9999
Guide Dogs – for large print versions – 0345 143 1000
Calibre Audio – for audio versions – 01296 432 339
As usual, World Book Day has lined up lots of events, both physical and online, as well as offering free audiobooks via the Yoto app. For more detailed information, please visit www.worldbookday.com where you can also find out more about the positive impact of World Book Day and the role that reading for pleasure and sharing stories play in a child’s life. #worldbookday
World Book Day was founded by UNESCO in 1995 and the first time it was celebrated in the UK was in 1997. It is now celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide. World Book Day is “a cultural movement that 97% of children have heard of and that 86% of adults are familiar with”, according to the charity’s Chief Executive, Cassie Chadderton, in an interview with The FLIP online newsletter. [https://www.the-flip.co.uk/interviews/cassie-chadderton – accessed 8th February 2025.]
Camber Bookstops
Our sturdy beach-hut-style Bookstops continue to stand up well to the winter storms. The new Bookstops were built and installed during 2021, after the original cupboard suffered one storm-battering too many. As well as replacing the Bookstop in the village centre, a new, second Bookstop was sited at the eastern end of the village, at the top of Pelwood Road.
We continue to feel heartened by the popularity of the Bookstops. It is wonderful to see them being used so much and, recently, we saw an increase in the number of children’s books being placed in them. If you haven’t already paid a visit, do stop by! The selection of books is varied and we feel sure there is something for everyone in them.
The Bookstops are located on the lawn in front of Pontins/Nisa Local, and at the entrance to Pelwood Road. Happy reading!
PLEASE NOTE: The Bookstop in front of NISA is still accessible, despite the area being fenced off. The Security Team at Pontins has kindly left an opening via the path in front of the shop so that locals can still get to the Bookstop. (A big Thank You to them from Camber Community Group!)
Book Review
Have you read a good book lately? Would you recommend it to your friends? If you would like to write a book review for the newsletter, please send it in and we will be happy to print it for you!
