Celebrate World Book Day with the borough’s libraries

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s libraries will be giving away thousands of new books to children and young people when exchanged for vouchers on Saturday 9th March.

The vouchers will be given out for free in schools, nurseries, and other settings.

The list of available books is wide-ranging, from Greg the Sausage Roll by Mark and Roxanne Hoyle to Loki: Tales of a Bad God by Louie Stowell, to books for older children such as The Doomsday Date by Faride Abike-Iyimide.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, Councillor Lisa Denson said:

“There is a lot going on for this year’s World Book Day and it’s going to be a wonderful day across all our lovely libraries.”

The libraries which are not open on Saturdays (Malpas, Tarporley and Tarvin) will have their event on World Book Day itself, Thursday 7 March.

In addition, a special World Book Day quiz will be available in all public libraries until the end of the day, with the chance to win all the World Book Day titles.

Before World Book Day, Cheshire West Libraries are providing children’s fancy dress costume exchanges in Barnton, Blacon, Frodsham, Hoole, Hope Farm, Lache, Little Sutton, Neston, Northwich, Sandiway, Winsford and Wharton. Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted costumes to these libraries for those who need them. Costumes can also be taken without any items being donated.

Also, as part of the celebrations, in association with Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, the puppet show “Chio Chio” by Luma Creations, will be shown to invited school classes at Frodsham and Neston libraries, with the opportunity for children to collect their World Book Day books afterwards.

Cllr Denson added:

“Our Library Service would also welcome children and those who accompany them to join while they visit. Joining is free of charge and simple, with no need for identification, and there are no late fees for the under 13s. We look forward to seeing you.”

The approval of a parent or guardian is needed for children to join. Membership also means free access to the Borrowbox app which has thousands of adult and child eBooks and eAudio title as well as the Libby app for eMagazines.

The complete list of books available are:

Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David McKee

Greg the Sausage Roll: Lunchbox Hero by Mark and Roxanne Hoyle

Charlie McGrew and the Horse That He Drew by Rob Biddulph

Dinosaur Club: On the Trail of a T. Rex by Rex Stone

InvestiGators: Hi-Rise Hijinks by Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis

Marv and the Ultimate Superpower by Alex Falaise-Koya

Can You Get Jellyfish in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani

Loki: Tales of a Bad God by Louise Stowell

Onyeka and the Secret Superhero by Tola Okogwu

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Friend Mission by Rosie Jones

Dread Wood: Creepy Creations by Jennifer Killick

The Doomsday Date by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

World Book Day is a national and international campaign to change lives through a love of books and shared reading. The mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. The aim is to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.

World Book Day was created by UNESCO on 23 April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. It is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The first World Book Day in the UK and Ireland took place in 1997 to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading.