World Book Day Quick Reads
Eleven years ago someone at UNESCO had the idea to celebrate reading and books around the world on the same day. An ambitious plan but one that has done remarkably well. Today, World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe.
In 2008 World Book Day took place in the UK and Ireland on 6 March 2008 and featured:
- Quick Reads
- Spread the Word
- Children's campaign
Quick Reads
Quick Reads is the initiative for adults who have never got the reading bug or who have lost the habit, or indeed avid readers want a quick read.
Ten new bite-sized, fast-paced books by leading bestselling writers and celebrities were published on World Book Day 2008 priced £1.99 each - so everyone can afford them.
- Humble Pie Gordon Ramsay (adapted from his autobiography)
- The Girl on the Platform Josephine Cox (fiction from the bestselling author)
- One Good Turn Chris Ryan (an action thriller from the ex-SAS man)
- Life's New Hurdles Colin Jackson (autobiography of the British Olympic medallist)
- Happy Families Adele Parks (fiction from the bestselling author)
- The Hardest Test Scott Quinnell (autobiography of the Welsh rugby player)
- East End Tales Gilda O'Neill (a collection of childhood memories)
- RaW Voices of Hardship and Hope edited by Vanessa Feltz (real life stories from people around the UK)
- The Ten Keys to Success John Bird (advice on success from the founder of the Big Issue)
- Doctor Who: Revenge of the Judoon Terrance Dicks (the original Dr Who author)
Libraries play a key role in ensuring that readers can get hold of these books (and the Quick Reads that were published in 2006 and 2007) particularly through their partnerships with people who work with adults who struggle to read.
We also provide a range of resources for people working with adult literacy learners using Quick Reads through our The Vital Link website.
Follow the links to see how we are supporting the World Book Day Spread the Word and Children's campaign initiatives.
"Quick Reads has a very ambitious aim. With the help of a wide range of authors, we want to take emergent readers and make them addicted readers - so that reading for pleasure becomes not just a skill but a habit." Gail Rebuck, The Random House Group.