Celebrating World Book Day

Did you know that as well as being William Shakespeare's birthday, April 23rd is also celebrated as World Book Day, and World Book Night.

World Book Night is celebrated on 23 April as day of awareness demonstrate to both children and adults that there are plenty of opportunities to get lost in a good book. Every year, the occasion is coordinated by the Reading Agency, a national charity that aims to help people become confident and enthusiastic readers.

World Book Night was first celebrated in the UK and Ireland in 2011 on 5 March. In 2012 it was moved to 23 April, the UNESCO International Day of the Book, or 'World Book Day'.

World Book Night celebrates both reading and books every year on April 23rd, when books are distributed throughout the UK to specifically, but not exclusively, reach those who don’t often get the opportunity to read; whether in hospitals, prisons, homeless shelters and care homes. Those who love reading a good book are encouraged to give out their own books to similarly affected people in their own communities or across the UK.

The Reading Agency is a UK charity that inspires social and personal change through the proven power of reading. Working with individuals of all ages, communities and trusted partners to share the joy and transformative benefits of reading for happy and healthy lives.

Whether you join a book club, or start your own, maybe you'll inspire others to build a book bank for those less fortunate, or a book share in your place of work, whatever you do sharing books and the joy of reading is for everyone, and everything changes when you read.