World Book Day: Reading for pleasure booklist

World Book Day is just around the corner. So I have decided to create a read for pleasure booklist for kids. Certainly, studies by the Literacy Trust have shown that the longer children keep an enjoyment of reading going, the greater the benefits are in the classroom.

In addition, there is an exciting update at the bottom of the page! So make sure to keep on scrolling!

World Book Day books for Nursery and Reception

Firstly, we will start with books for Nursery and Reception.

But if you are looking for more than just these make sure to check out my bedtime stories recommendations.

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How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
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My Pet Star by Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw
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The Storm Whale by Beni Davies
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The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
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The Invisible by Tom Percival
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The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
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The Koala who Could by Jim Field and Rachel Bright
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I’m Sticking with You by Smriti Halls and Steve Small
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How to be a Lion by Ed Vere
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We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

By the way, if you are interested in buying any of the books from this list, you can find them on my Bookshop.org shop front. Although please note that it is an affiliate link. Therefore, I will receive a small profit from any purchases made.

World Book Day: Reading for pleasure suggestions, KS1

Secondly, my list for Year One and Two. It is important to mention that, some authors appear in more than one age category. Needless to say, I am a big fan of those authors. Nevertheless, they are excellent books in their own right!

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Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers
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After the Fall by Dan Santat
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Bloom by Anne Booth and Robyn Wilson-Owen
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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
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Grandad Island by Benji Davies
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Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival
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Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History
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Lila and the Secret of Rain by David Conway and Jude Daly
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The Book with no pictures by B.J. Novak
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George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake

Must Reads for Year Three and Year Four for World Book Day

Thirdly, we move onto the reading for pleasure list for Year Three and Year Four. Please keep in mind that the first two are wordless. But what is the point in wordless picture books? So, if you are unsure, make sure to follow the link.

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Journey by Aaron Becker
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Tuesday by David Wiesner
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The Tin Forest by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson
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The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman
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The Legend of Podkin One Ear by Kieran Larwood
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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
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The Train to Impossible Places by P.G. Bell
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The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpugo
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How to Live Forever by Colin Thompson
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How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Finally, my recommended reads for Year 5 and Year 6, ahead of World Book Day.

Just a side note, take care when selecting books for children in Year 6. Although the Young Adult books might seem to stretch them, the content can often be inappropriate. I am an experienced primary teacher, particularly in this age group.

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The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf
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Moondial by Helen Cresswell
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The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
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No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton
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The Arrival by Shaun Tan
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Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
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The Train to Impossible Places P.G. Bell
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Pax by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Jon Klassen
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Black and British (Year 6)
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Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman (Y6)

So, there you have it, my World Book Day booklist for 2021. Although this post a few others have focussed on books that hook, I also blog about tricky themes and topics. For example, book recommendations around the topic of friendship and being kind. In addition, books to build self esteem in children and a number of others.

Event Announcement

To celebrate World Book Day, (March 4th) I will be hosting a Facebook Live reading at 11am. Although I have not hosted one before, hopefully it will be good fun.

But which picture book will I be reading from? Will it even be one from this list? Well, you will have to come along and see. I certainly hope to see lots of you there.

Enjoy my article but looking for something else? Did I forget your favourite book, for instance? Or would you add others to this list?

How do you plan to celebrate World Book Day? I’d love to hear from you, so let me know.

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