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What is World Book Day?

Two children, a boy and a girl, sat reading on an orange sofa.

World Book Day takes place every year in the UK and Ireland. It is a day all about celebrating books!

As such, many children spend the day reading, talking about the books they enjoy reading and dressing up as a character from their favourite story!

Lots of schools and authors like to get involved too by sharing their love of books and taking part in book related activities.

Do you have a favourite book?

Two children, a boy and a girl, sat reading on an orange sofa.
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Fiction and non-fiction

There are two different types of books. Fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction books are ones which have been made up by a writer’s imagination. These are often genres such as ‘sci-fi’, fairy tales and mysteries.

Non-fiction books are about real life. This could be a book about a celebrity, an event that has happened or even a recipe book. Both types of book can be celebrated on World Book Day.

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Activity: Quiz

Discover what book genre you are most like, in this quiz!

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Writing a story

Before an author writes a story, they plan what is going to happen. A plan is a useful tool to make sure you stay on track when you are writing. The main things you need to think about are; characters, setting and plot.

Characters

Think about who your characters are. What they look like on the outside and what their personality traits are. It can be helpful to decide what motivates your characters and what their relationships are like with each other.

Setting

Deciding a setting is really important for creating the tone of the story. This is also an opportunity to be really creative and invent your own world.

Plot

The plot is the storyline. What happens to your characters in the beginning, middle and end of your story. Often there is a build up that leads to a problem that has to be solved. It is helpful to plan the plot by making some notes about what will happen in each section of the story.

Activity: Story writing

Have a go at planning and then writing your own story. You could write an exciting adventure, a magical fairy tale or thrilling mystery. If you are not sure where to start, use the story starters as inspiration.

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What are prequels and sequels?

Some authors write prequels or sequels to their original work. A prequel is a story set before the original story and a sequel is set some time after. Authors can decide to have the same characters and a different plot or new ones.

Can you think of a prequel and sequel idea for Little Red Riding Hood? Reveal for some ideas.

Activity: Writing a prequel or sequel

Six ideas for either a prequel or a sequel.

Think about your favourite story and have a go at writing either a sequel or prequel. You could have the same characters with a different plot or new characters set in the same place. Often prequels and sequels are a great opportunity to explore the storyline of some of the side characters or to find out why two characters have a specific relationship. For example, if two characters start off as enemies, a prequel might explain what led to their fall out.

Six ideas for either a prequel or a sequel.
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Activity: Comic strip

Comic books are colourful graphic novels that usually feature lots of adventures and superheroes!

Have a go at creating your own comic strip or print off the template to help you get started.

Create your own comic strip with this printable PDF.

Printable comic strip
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Where next?

Blue Peter Book Club

Learn about the Blue Peter Book Club and how you can earn your book badge!

Blue Peter Book Club

All about world book day.

Learn all about World Book Day and complete some exciting World Book Day activities in the KS1 Bitesize guide.

All about world book day.

±«Óătv Teach - World Book Day 2024 – Live Lesson

Tune in to the ±«Óătv Teach Live Lesson all about World Book Day (Thursday 7th March,11:00.) Maddie Moate and Joe Tasker will be joined by some amazing authors to celebrate World Book Day.

±«Óătv Teach - World Book Day 2024 – Live Lesson

Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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