Torquay Library to celebrate World Book Day with free books and visit from famed children’s author

Torquay Library is to support World Book Day 2026 by offering children the chance to receive a free book and take part in a series of reading events across the Bay.

World Book Day 2026 takes place on Thursday 5 March, with the annual charity campaign aimed at encouraging children to discover the fun of reading and improving access to books.

As part of the initiative Torquay Library, on Lymington Road, will act as a community token exchange hub from Thursday 12 February until 16 March, allowing children to redeem their £1/€1.50 World Book Day book token for a free title at the library.

The library is one of a number across the country distributing more than 400,000 books to children in disadvantaged and low literacy areas, helping more children discover reading for pleasure. Titles available span a range of reading levels, from Peppa Pig: One Big Family, published by Penguin Random House UK for beginner readers, to Unicorn Academy: My Secret Unicorn Diary, published by Nosy Crow, aimed at early readers.

For more confident readers, books include Chaos at the Chocolate Factory, written by Sibéal Pounder and illustrated by Emily Jones, published by Puffin, and Skandar and the Secret Element by A.F. Steadman, published by Simon & Schuster. A full list of the World Book Day titles available can be found at worldbookday.com/books.

The programme is supported by The Julia Rausing Trust and Arts Council England.

To further celebrate World Book Day, Torquay Library has invited pupils from Combe Pafford School to visit on Wednesday 4 March. A Family Fun Reading Activities Day will also be held on Saturday 7 March, running from 9.30am to 4pm.

The event will feature children’s author Claire Barker, known for her Knitbone Pepper Ghost Dog and Picklewitch and Jack series, who will host readings at 10.30am and 2.30pm, alongside craft activities and a book-signing opportunity.

World Book Day aims to promote reading for fun, with national research showing that for one in four children receiving free school meals, a World Book Day book is the first book they own. Children can also use their £1/€1.50 book token to get money off any book or audiobook costing £2.99/€3.99 or more between 13 February and 23 March.

More information about World Book Day and how to support the charity is available at www.worldbookday.com.