Cryptic children's book trail quiz and young author event for World Book Day

This year World Book Day is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the message for all children 'you are a reader'. Wiltshire libraries have two special events planned to celebrate the day, which takes place today (3 March).

Our libraries team have put together a Cryptic children's book trail quiz and children and families are invited to guess ten well-known children's books from cryptic photo clues that will be posted on our Facebook pages on 3 March. It's just for fun and the answers will be posted after World Book Day.

To find your local library Facebook page follow the link: Libraries - Contact us - Wiltshire Council.

In partnership with Storytown and Corsham Town Council, Corsham library is hosting a special event to meet young author Phoebe McNelis as she presents her debut book "Kindness" on Friday 4 March.

Seven year old Phoebe has written a magical story in response to all the acts of kindness her family received following her mum Charly's breast cancer diagnosis in February 2020. Phoebe and her family will be in the library to talk about their experience and book signing, with a percentage of all book sale profits donated to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. There will be three sessions at 4pm, 4.30pm and 5pm Booking is via Eventbrite.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for education and Skills said: "The World Book Day has been an incredibly successful initiative over the last 25 years and has distributed thousands of free books to children. Their mission is to promote reading for pleasure by offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.

"Reading for pleasure is a strong indicator of a child's future. Last September we launched the Wiltshire Year of Reading because we want to see more children, a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure as we know this not just aid learning but will also widen their horizons for the future."

As part of the Wiltshire Year of Reading, all schools in the county were invited to sign up to a reading awards scheme that enhances reading in each school through a series of achievements to tick off along the way. The scheme is different for primary and secondary and feature a range of milestones to reach bronze, silver and gold.

Early years settings will also have a range of books to cover to start children learning from an early age.

Schools who achieve the gold award can become 'beacon reading schools', sharing their outstanding practice with others. To mark the achievement of each stage, schools will receive certificates.