World Book Day, today, is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.

World Book Day  encourages children read and develop their imaginations.

Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.

In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.

What do kids read these days? Enid Blyton? Richmal Compton? Rick Riordan?  The Harry Potter series?

According to The Guardian, the most popular childrens’ books in 2017 were: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling,The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Milwood Hargrave, The Book of Dust Vol 1: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholl and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

In South Africa, some of the more popular children’s books included:

• The Hare and Mr. Mandela by Chris van Wyk (who wrote the children’s version of The Long Work to Freedom).

The Hare finds a R200 note with Mandela’s face and decides to go to Joburg to give it back to him. He has various adventures along the way.

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

A hugely successful series which has sold 150 million books worldwide. The book is about a boy named Greg Heffley and his struggles to fit in as he begins middle school.

• Refilwe by Zukiswa Wanner

A local children’s book which retells the classic fairy-tale of Rapunzel with a uniquely South African twist.

• The Powers of the Knife by Bontle Senne

The first of a trilogy of books aimed at 9-12 year-olds. The book is a fantasy fiction story based in the township setting.

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• The Darkest Dark – by astronaut Chris Hadfield

Beautifully illustrated story about facing your fear – the little boy is afraid of the dark – but also about dreaming big and going on adventures.

• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

The classic book recounts the adventures of orphan girl Anne Shirley (11) who is mistakenly sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Prince Edward Island.

• Two Of Everything by Babette Cole

Two of Everything tells the story of two prefect siblings, Demetrius and Paula Ogglebutt, with very ugly parents that they want to have an ‘unwedding’.

• Ruby Redfort (series) by Lauren Child

Ruby is a really cool, adventurous protagonist – a code breaker, secret agent and 13 year old school girl. Series finale out now – Blink and You’ll Die.

• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Fantastic children’s author – older kids. This is a special collector’s edition that’s been released as a tie in with the movie

• The Midnight Gang by David Williams

Williams is a popular children’s author (most well-known one was The Boy In The Dress) and he brings out a new book every year.

For adults, what are your favourites? Wilbur Smith. Mills and Boon, Clive Cussler, Agatha Christie or something more esoteric?

Let us know…