To celebrate World Book Day on 3rd March 2016, Book Aid International is encouraging school children to raise funds so the charity can send more books to libraries in Africa. Schools, library clubs and activity groups are encouraged to donate £1 to dress up as their favourite book character or to donate £1 to take part in World Book Day’s Bumper Book Quiz on 22nd February.
To make it that little bit easier to prepare, the charity has produced 18 dress-up sheets with easy step-by-step instructions to get your children ready for World Book Day. There are four new sheets this year so children can dress up as The BFG, Tom Gates, Claude or The Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit.These have been added to the existing collection which includes Gangsta Granny, Angelina Ballerina, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Willy Wonka fromCharlie and the Chocolate Factory. The full set of resources is available at www.bookaid.org/worldbookday.
World Book Day’s Bumper Book Quiz gives children and young people the chance to be part of a World Record Attempt – by taking part in the highest number of simultaneous book quizzes ever. Children are encouraged to donate £1 to take part.
There are also lots more fundraising ideas and educational resources for schools and libraries such as Africa maps, films and a presentation about Book Aid International at www.bookaid.org/worldbookday.
Book Aid International’s Head of Fundraising Hannah Watson said: “World Book Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate all things reading. But it’s also a good time to remember those who don’t have access to books. We believe all children should have the opportunity to read and by fundraising on World Book Day, children in the UK can help us to send more books to African libraries where they can help children discover the joy of reading.”
It costs Book Aid International just £2 to send a brand new book to a library or school in Africa. UK schools have been long-term supporters of Book Aid International’s work and give their support by fundraising each year on World Book Day. Last year, children and schools from the UK and around the world raised over £115,000 to help send more books to libraries in Africa. Activities range from dressing up as book characters to organising book sales and sponsored readathons.
Every year, Book Aid International provides up to one million new books donated by UK publishers to libraries in sub-Saharan Africa. Two thirds of these books are for children, many of whom do not own a single book and may never have seen a picture book before a delivery from Book Aid International to their library or school. Book Aid International is a supported charity of World Book Day.