World Book Day 2022
Being an official World Book Day author for 2022 is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. WHAT a project to be a part of - a nationwide drive to make books truly accessible to children (and for so many, (for 1 in 5 children on free school meals) the book they ‘buy’ with their World Book Day token will be the first book they ever own).
This year’s message really resonated: #IAmAReader. It sparks that sense of confidence and belonging and reminds us that there are books out there for each and every one of us. I think this year’s collection reflects that so beautifully and I’m very proud to have a factual book in here too.
READING FOR PLEASURE
Reading for pleasure as a child has been shown to be the single biggest indicator of future success. If we can take one small step towards helping children fall in love with books and reading, that’s everything. It’s why I wrote my very first picture book Never Show a T-Rex a Book, illustrated by the brilliant Diane Ewen - it’s a love letter to libraries, books of all kinds, and all the places reading can take you. It’s why I write a mix of real and fictional worlds - because I want to catch readers who love each of these. Or both! Because all books are books and all reading is reading. Non-fiction and graphic novels, picture books, and poetry aren’t just gateways - they’re whole universes in themselves.
THINK(ing) LIKE A BOSS
Writing Think Like a Boss was an honour and I love how Adam Hayes brought it to life with his art. The comments I’ve had from children about this little handbook have been amazing. They’ve been inspired to think like entrepreneurs and inventors whether that’s at home, in the classroom, or on a sports field and to start with empathy no matter what they do.
We were number 1 in the Children’s Non-Fiction chart for a number of weeks. We even hit the overall UK Top 50 (at #21). And Think Like a Boss was Book of the WEEK in The Bookseller, the UK’s No1 book industry magazine. Over 60,000 copies made their way into the hands of young readers all over the UK. AND I found out that some schools had bought copies for all their students transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7! I mean WOW.
And I got to create a video for the World Book Day Author & Illustrator Academy too.
The best bit? Hearing from classes who used this to come up with their own business ideas and inventions!
BOUNCING TO HIP HOP BEATS IN 10 DOWNING STREET
Right up there in the list of ‘HOW DID THIS STUFF EVEN HAPPEN?!’ is being invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate 25 years of World Book Day and to talk about Think Like a Boss to a wonderful group of Year 6s. World Book Day illustrator Allen Fatimaharan did a draw-along and the incredible MC Grammar led a nursery rhyme rap battle. So yeah. I can say I have rapped along and bounced to hip hop beats INSIDE No 10 Downing Street. (I don’t know what my life is anymore!)
The children were so excited to be there. Just look at them! They’re the reason why we do what we do as authors and illustrators. Nothing like doing a school event to remind of you of that and make it real.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF AWESOMENESS
So that’s it. 25 years of World Book Day. 25 years of getting books into the hands of children. I feel so privileged to have been invited to be a part of it all in such a big anniversary year and alongside so many literary wonders. Seeing these books in bookshops, in supermarkets - FREE for every child or just £1 with a voucher - it filled my heart. We’re doing something important here. Books open doors and light up a path. They let us learn about the world around us, our shared histories, and a future full of hope. They provide comfort and deep belly laughs. They empower the reader and spark ideas. A lifelong love of reading is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child. This project matters. And I will always do everything I can to support it. Always.
More here: https://www.worldbookday.com
