We partnered with World Book Day through our Hastings Literacy Hub to bring the world’s biggest celebration of reading for pleasure, to Hastings students. The free event saw six of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors and illustrators bring books to life for around 750 school children in the iconic De La Warr Pavilion in nearby Bexhill-on-Sea.
We supported World Book Day in bringing its hugely successful Share a Story Live tour to three communities across the UK where low levels of literacy are seriously impacting people’s lives: Hastings, Manchester and Middlesbrough.
We work in each of these areas to bring together local businesses, health, education, and cultural organisations to help tackle literacy challenges in the community.
The Hastings event boasted a stellar line-up including:
- Paralympian and author of Cyborg Cat, Ade Adepitan
- World Book Day 2020 author Laura Ellen Anderson, author and illustrator of the Amelia Fang series (Amelia Fang and the Bookworm Gang)
- Geek Girl author Holly Smale
- Little Badman author Humza Arshad
- Compered by Steven Butler, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlisted author, actor, and playwright.
Following the event, WHSmith sold copies of the £1 World Book Day titles, as well as a wider selection of books sold at a special discount.
A couple of lucky Hastings schools were also treated to personal visits and assemblies in the afternoon from Holly and Laura too!
“It’s really important we make sure kids get the opportunity to read and enjoy all types of books. I’m proud and excited to be a part of Share a Story Live this year.”
Ade Adepitan
“It’s our vision to offer every child in the UK the opportunity to read and love books, and our collaboration with the National Literacy Trust plays a hugely important part in our efforts to bring the joy of sharing a story to young readers.”
Kirsten Grant, Director of World Book Day