The origins of World Book Day

Every year, on the first Thursday of March, you might see superheroes, dragons, or detectives walking down the street. No, it isn’t Halloween, but it is World Book Day, where children all across the UK and Ireland dress as their favourite characters from books. Established by UNESCO in 1995, this special day celebrates love for books and stories, inviting children to spark their creativity and imagination, as well as learn more about the world and others.

So then, what exactly about reading is so important that it justifies an entire day for it, celebrated the world over? The power of written words is often underestimated by children and adolescents, who are nowadays finding instant gratification through games and smartphones, as warned by Sir Michael Morpugo, third Children’s Laureate^[1]. Reading can make children happier, more creative, more empathetic, and perform better at school^[2]. Children who read are more likely to foster better mental wellbeing, displaying fewer levels of stress and disruptive behaviours^[3]. In fact, in terms of mental wellbeing, it can be extremely transformative.

Reading and mental health

We’re all human. We’ve all had days where our emotions aren’t as bright as usual, whether it be anxiety for the future, guilt over a mistake, or just feeling incredibly tired. The same rings true for children and young adults, who require that emotional intelligence just as much as everyone else, and reading just might be the solution!

Stories can be transformative, especially when the characters or storyline resonate with the reader. Stories give children a journey into other worlds, allowing them to understand their own hardships, challenges, and emotions more wholeheartedly, through stories and characters that go through similar events or think similar thoughts^[4].

The National Literacy Trust found that children and young people who read had better levels of mental wellbeing than those who didn’t read. 3 in 5 children and young people stated that reading helped them to relax and unwind. Specifically, they stated even further that reading made them happier, more confident, and helped them to deal with problems^[5].

For children and young adults alike

There are no bounds in achieving better mental health through stories and reading. A child in KS1 understanding the very roots of emotion is just as important and essential as a young adult in KS4 struggling with grief and loss. Either way, there is a plethora of books that delves into every inch and crevice of mental health, here are just a few special recommendations!

Find Your Happy by Emily Coxhead (ages 3 to 5)

It’s easy to feel emotions, but understanding and controlling it can be difficult. Fortunately, through a whimsically happy sloth, along with vibrant colours and cute illustrations, children can learn about the various emotions they might experience throughout daily life, and importantly, the ways in which they can find their ‘happy’ again.

emilycoxhead.com

Why Do I Feel Like This? by Shinsuke Yoshitake (ages 6 to 8)

With a simple colour palette and hilariously comical drawings of a little girl’s thoughts on her walk back home from school, Shinsuke Yoshitake’s ‘Why Do I Feel Like This?’ teaches children that there will be times when they feel angry, annoyed, or hate and that’s okay, everyone else has them too. What’s important is how they overcome those feelings.

Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot by Horatio Clare (ages 8 to 12)

Aubrey is a happy boy who enjoys “Night Venturing” – delving deep into his colourful imagination as he lies in bed, until one day, a monster he calls the “Yoot” takes over his father, making him sad and lost. He travels further into his imagination, confronting the Yoot, together with his father. The story tackles depression, yet balances it out with love and family.

booktrust.org.uk/aubrey-and-the-terrible-yoot

Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman (ages 12 to 18)

Kiko Himura has it rough. Her mother is narcissistic, she feels disconnected with her half-Japanese heritage, and now she gets rejected from her dream school. So, when a childhood friend invites her to leave town, she strikes at the opportunity despite all the anxieties she harbours. It is a powerful story that reminds us to accept ourselves.

akemidawnbowman.com

How does Cloud9UK support wellbeing and mental health?

Stories like these illustrate how powerful stories and resonating characters can help children and young people understand complex emotions and how to navigate them, and these are just four stories! There is an endless universe of fiction and imagination out there for children and young people to explore, so perhaps this World Book Day is a great chance to introduce children and young people to reading. Or, if you prefer a more personalised and interactive approach, Cloud9UK provides teachers, schools and families with a vast library of resources, from lesson plans to comic shorts, targeting all students from KS1 to KS4.

Like the sloth in Emily Coxhead’s ‘Find Your Happy’, children will enjoy the presence of Kiwi, a cute bird that guides them through their emotional learning in our interactive stories. Cloud9UK also provides resources for complex mental health, such as depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder, ensuring no student is left behind on their emotional intelligence.

To discover more about Cloud9UK and its impact on social and emotional learning, book a free demo today.

Have a lovely World Book Day!