World Book Day - Dr Pam McKinney

For World Book Day 2021, Information School Lecturer Dr Pam McKinney shares her thoughts.

As a parent I have spent the last 8 years participating in world book day, making costumes for my children to wear to primary school based on their favourite characters. But WBD is far more that a glorified dressing up competition (although I won’t lie about the competitive aspect of making a good costume!).

WBD encourages children to engage in reading for pleasure, and numerous studies have shown that reading for pleasure is directly related to academic success, through increasing vocabulary and confidence in reading, and affecting performance across all subjects, not just English.

As my kids get older and are at secondary school I can see the importance placed on reading in this context, with tests of reading age informing assessments of progress and ability, and the central role that a school library, staffed by a qualified librarian in supporting reading for pleasure.

So I will continue to get excited about costume-making, buy books at the WBD book sale and visit the school to read in classrooms.

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