Sunderland youngsters ready for World Book Day

The event, aimed at celebrating stories and encouraging children to read more, takes place in more than 100 countries around the world.

It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and - most importantly - it’s a celebration of reading.

The day is also a chance for children and teachers to dress up as their favourite characters from their favourite books.

Dubmire Academy in Fencehouses is one of those using World Book Day as part of a bigger push on reading.

The school invited in author, Karen Langtree, along to work with the children.

Karen also took along Sir Trumps-a-lot from her popular story, Knights of the Wobbly Table, to meet the children.

During the visit the author worked with students of all ages, supporting them in writing their own stories and there were event prizes for the winners.

Peter Bennett, assistant headteacher at Dubmire Academy, said they decided to hold a whole week dedicated to books and reading to co-incide with World Book Day.

He said: “This all coincides with the school’s move to improve reading standards and the significant investments we have made in a number of programmes and schemes to ensure that every child at Dubmire is a reader.

“We are so excited about what we are doing to support our pupils.”

During this week the pupils are also taking part in competitions to complete at home, a fun Where’s Wally competition, a Roald Dahl Gobblefunk spelling test with his made up words, prizes for best costumes on World Book Day.

The school has also launced a new reading programme, which has involved buying hundreds of brand new books.