World Book Day 2023: Friday 3rd March
This year, our chosen text for World Book Day is The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear.
‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ was first published in Lear’s 1871 collection Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets. The poem, in summary, tells of the love between the owl and the pussycat and their subsequent marriage – with the turkey presiding over the wedding. They obtain the wedding ring from a pig, who sells them his for a shilling.
In 1995, it was voted Britain’s 45th favourite poem and in 2014, it was voted the nation’s favourite childhood poem.
Using various editions, the children will be introduced to this fantastical romp – which can be enjoyed on many different levels – appreciating the delicious use of language, rhyme and imagery.
At Sherington, we choose to focus on one text as we believe that the rationale for the day is to highlight the joy of being fully-immersed in a quality piece of literature. We utilise the power of the text to increase engagement and raise attainment, whilst introducing the children to a range of diverse narratives. Using a
single stimulus enables a progressive approach to learning and a shared ethos.
From Monday 27th February, the children will start to explore the poem through a variety of pre-planned tasks – culminating in writing nonsense verse.
On Friday 3rd March, all will dress up as anything linking with the poem. Every year, the children’s costumes become more and more creative, and we hope that this year proves to be the best yet. Alongside a costume parade, the children will take part in a carousel of activities.
World Book Day 2022: Thursday 3rd March
This year, our chosen book for World Book Day is A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
A fantastical tale of mischief, mayhem and magic.
With exquisite and detailed illustrations from the acclaimed artist Jane Ray, who has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal, this captivating retelling (re-imagined by Shakespeare’s Globe) is an enchanting way to introduce the children to one of the best-loved works of the world’s greatest playwright.
At Sherington, we choose to focus on one text as we believe that the rationale for the day is to highlight the joy of being fully immersed in a quality piece of literature. We use the power of the book to transport us to other lands and other times; to encourage us to inhabit the lives of others and ‘walk in their shoes’. Using a single stimulus enables a progressive approach to learning and a shared ethos.
From Monday 28th February, teachers and children will start to explore the text through a variety of engaging, stimulating and exciting activities – culminating in a writing task focusing on potions and character strengths…
On Thursday 3rd March, all will dress up as anything linking with the text. Over the years, the children’s costumes have become more and more creative, and we hope that this year proves to be the best yet. Alongside a costume parade, the children will take part in a carousel of activities.
World Book Day 2021: Thursday 4th March
This year, our chosen book is: The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth.
From the author of the phenomenally successful The King Who Banned the Dark comes a new tale about community, and our relationship with the environment and nature.
‘Once upon a time a group of friends were seeking a place to call home. The desert was too hot, the valley was too wet and the mountain was too windy. Then they found the forest. It was perfect. The leaves gave shelter from the sun and rain, and a gentle breeze wound through the branches. But the friends soon wanted to build shelters. The shelters became houses, then the houses got bigger. All too soon they wanted to control the environment and built a huge wooden wall around the community. As they cut down the trees, the forest becomes thinner, until there is just one last tree standing. It is down to the children to find a solution.’
From Monday 22nd February, teachers and pupils will start to explore the text through a variety of inspiring, engaging, stimulating and exciting activities
On Thursday 4th March, pupils and staff will dress up as anything linking with the text. Over the years, the children’s costumes have become more and more creative and we hope that this year proves to be the best yet. There will be a ‘virtual’ costume parade on Teams for each class and alongside the parade, the children will be taking part in a carousel of pre-recorded activities, as well as completing an imaginative writing task.
World Book Day 2020: Thursday 5th March
This year, our chosen book is: Return by Aaron Becker.
Caldecott Honor winner Aaron Becker delivers a suspenseful and moving climax to his wordless trilogy, an epic that began with the award-winning Journey and continued with the celebrated follow-up Quest.
Failing to get the attention of her busy father, a lonely girl turns back to a fantastic world for friendship and adventure. It’s her third journey into the enticing realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes. This time, it will take something truly powerful to persuade her to return home, as a gripping backstory is revealed that will hold readers in its thrall.
Please follow the link below to find out more about the story and to be inspired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmC1m1H-leg.
World Book Day 2019: Thursday 7th March
This year, our chosen book is A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers. 
Stories bring us together, provide shared experiences and glimpses into the unknown, broaden outlooks, entertain, transport, educate, and inspire. Reading is the foundation of every child’s education, and fostering a love of story is the first step in creating a reader.
I am a Child of Books. I come from a world of stories. And upon my imagination, I float.
In this inspiring, lyrical tale about the rewards of reading and sharing stories, a little girl sails her raft “across a sea of words” to arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her on an adventure. Guided by his new friend, the boy unlocks his imagination and a lifetime of magic lies ahead of him… But who will be next?
To find out more about A Child of Books and to get inspiration for costumes please click here.
World Book Day 2018: Thursday 1st March
This year, our chosen book is Blue Planet II.
With Blue Planet II being so popular at the moment, we thought it would be a great idea to mix things up and take full advantage of such an amazing book being published about the oceans surrounding us. It also gives us chance to explore non-fiction, showing to our children that reading does not only have to be that of story books.
From ambush hunters such as the carnivorous bobbit worm to cuttlefish mesmerising their prey with a pulsating light display, Blue Planet II reveals the never-before-seen secrets of the ocean. With over 200 breath-taking photographs from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage, each chapter of Blue Planet II brings to life a different habitat of the oceanic world. A final chapter explores the science and technology of the Ocean enterprise – not only how they were able to capture these amazing stories on film, but what the future holds for marine life based on these discoveries.
Check out some of the fantastic scenes: