Ten Ideas for Celebrating World Book Day 2022

Calling all human beans! We hope you’re gearing up your brainboxes ready for World Book Day 2022.

There’s no better time to celebrate how fantastical reading is and share the brilliance of books with the world.

We’ve been working hard with our friends at World Book Day to make this year’s celebration an absolute whiz-banger! Here’s our list of ideas on how you can celebrate the most exciting day of the year*.

*If you like books, that is. If you don't, you may want to stop reading here.

Join the party with the cast of Matilda the Musical…

We've teamed up with World Book Day, The RSC and Puffin Books to bring you this extra special event, featuring performances from your favourite authors and illustrators: Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, Humza Arshad, Allen Fatimaharan and Hannah Lee, Nizrana Farook, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Maisie Chan, Greg James and Chris Smith, with live-drawing throughout from Chris Riddell. There will also be an exclusive performance from Matilda The Musical, and it's all live from the Cambridge Theatre in London. Find out more on the World Book Day website and sign up to the live-streamed event on Monday 28th February.

Find your perfect World Book Day costume...

If you're planning to dress up for the big occasion, may we suggest you choose one of our most clever characters? Take our very scientific quiz to find the perfect costume for you.

...Or have a go at making your own!

Take a peek at our World Book Day hub to find delightful (and more importantly, easy!) homemade costume ideas...

Or save yourself some time and pop to the shops. If the idea of a glue gun and tin foil fills you with dread, you could always visit our friends at Smiffy's who can help your little ones wow as Wonka, channel their inner Matilda or be as fantastic as Mr Fox.

Discover heaps of fun activities

Inside our NEW World Book Day pack for 2022, you'll find a brilliant Matilda bookmarks and everything you'll need to make your very own Fantastic Mr Fox - plus a quiz to discover which of our heroes you're most like! Sign up to be the first to know when this year's pack will be ready for download for free.

Test your knowledge of all our splendid stories

Do you think you're a Roald Dahl expert? Think again - time to sharpen that brainbox of yours on these terrifically tricky quizzes.

Find out what your costume says about you

Once you've made the very important decision of what to wear, you may want to take a read of this. It seems your costume may reveal more about you than you might think...

Learn how to become a brilliant bookworm

Want to take inspiration from our book-loving heroine herself? Discover Matilda’s top tips for becoming a devoted reader. 

See how you measure up to Matilda's reading list

By the age of four years and three months, Matilda had read all of these rather impressive titles. You might not be a tiny genius, but how does your reading list compare? 

Bring a little magic into your classroom

And for any teachery types - don’t worry! There’s plenty for you too: all our lesson plans are packed full of educational activities, ideal for World Book Day.

Or simply sit down for a few minutes with a favourite book

If all that sounds like far too much excitement, then there's nothing wrong with taking a moment to discover a new story - or rediscover an old favourite.

Phew! Well, we think that's everything. All that's left to do is wish you all a most fantastical World Book Day on Thursday the 3rd of March. Join the party on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and let us know how you're celebrating!