World Book Day challenges the playstation era
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The last few decades have seen books fight a constant battle for the hearts and minds of children. In the era of TV and computer games, selling books to kids is becoming increasingly tricky. But this year’s World Book Day aims to counter this by encouraging parents to read to 1 million children.
The aim is to get parents to read to their youngsters this evening in a bid to show 1 million young people the beauty of reading. Organisers in the UK and Ireland are promoting the initiative by selling 11 children titles for £1 each.
The 11 books will be read and posted online by actors and their authors to encourage children to get involved.
Primary and secondary schools are being encouraged to register for book tokens which cover the cost of the 11 books and events include readings, book signings and fancy dress parties where you can dress up as your favourite book character. Chances are there will be more than one Harry Potter.
Cathy Schofield is coordinating the day’s events. She fears that if children don’t start reading young, they probably never will.
“Its such an enormous subject. Reading benefits every single person because in many ways knowledge and education is power. The easiest way to gain knowledge is through reading. Individually you can become aware […] and you can contribute toward the wider society,” she says.
The UK and Ireland are not the only ones getting in on the act. Next week, the annual Dutch Book Week begins with the theme: “Young people growing up.”
