Held annually on the first Thursday of March, World Book Day is committed to getting every child and young person a book of their own.
Today (4 March) marks World Book Day, and ensuring children who are blind or vision impaired the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) are giving away thousands of free books in braille and audio formats.
IMPORTANT
Now in its 24th year of celebrations, World Book Day is getting accessible so that no child or young person is left behind.
“RNIB is delighted to support this year’s World Book Day,” says James Bartlett, RNIB library and newsagent manager.
“Reading can open up a world of possibilities and enhance the imagination, which is why it is so important for every child (and adult) to be able to enjoy books of their choice.”
SELECTION
As part of World Book Day, the RNIB is set to release the below 13 titles, free until 31 March:
- There’s a Wolf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
- What the Ladybird Heard (Playscript) by Julia Donaldson
- Gigantosaurus: Dino-Spot by Jonny Duddle
- Luna Loves World Book Day by Joseph Coehlo
- Protect the Planet by Jess French
- Football School by Alexander Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
- Planet Omar: Operation Kind by Zanib Mian
- The River Whale by Sita Brahmachari
- Skysteppers by Katherine Rundell
- Little Badman and the Radioactive Samosa by Humza Arshad and Henry White
- Skulduggery Pleasant: Apocalypse Kings by Derek Landy
- Killjoy by Holly Jackson
- Ha Ha Cnec by Huw Aaron
Ten-year-old Elodie Bateson, from County Derry in Northern Ireland was born with vision impairment, is a big fan of RNIB Talking Books and also enjoys braille books. She has chosen Skysteppers by Katherine Rundellfrom the list of titles RNIB has made accessible to celebrate World Book Day.
Elodie enthuses: “I love reading and sometimes enjoy five books in a week! The best bit about getting RNIB Talking Books is that I can pick my favourite books to listen to all by myself.
“I use VoiceOver on my iPad and the Easyreader app so I can have the same books as my friends. My favourite books are fantasy, and my favourite author is Rick Riordan.”
OPPORTUNITY
Elodie’s mum Michelle praised RNIB’s free accessible book offer for giving children with vision impairment the opportunity to own a book in a format they can read.
James adds: “The braille and audio versions of books that we have created ensure that blind and partially sighted children can discover these stories just like any other child and share in the excitement this World Book Day.”
To claim a free book in braille or audio (Daisy CD) format, call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
What are you reading this World Book Day? Let us know on social media, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.