The very best books to read for World Book Day 2022

It's time to mix up your children's bedtime stories for World Book Day's 25th Anniversary 📚

The Beast of Buckingham Place, Tiger Who Came to Tea and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Lily Anderson |
Updated on

If you want to bring storytime into your kid’s routine or encourage them to read more, then World Book Day 2022 is the best place to start. It’s a fantastic chance to share tales about books you loved as a child as well as an opportunity to find out what they would like to read. On Amazon, you have access to the £1 book offer which World Book Day has always been centred around.

When you’re a kid, getting a new book, either fiction or non-fiction is the most exciting thing in the world. It’ll transport you to a different world, where anything is possible like talking animals, secret places and potions that'll make you shrink – yikes!

To get you started, we’ve listed this year's £1 World Book Day books for your child to buy, as well as some of our favourite children's books that every child should have on their bookshelf. From here, you’ll be able to encourage imaginative play or even get your teens to put pen to paper and try out writing their own stories.

As well as rounding up all the books for World Book Day, we’ve also pulled together useful information you’ll need to know ahead of the event. All that’s left to do now is to start reading…

When is World Book Day 2022?

This year, World Book Day in the UK lands on Thursday 3 March 2022. Not long now until your kids will be dressing up as their favourite storybook characters.

What is World Book Day for?

World Book Day was created to promote reading for fun. Today, this message continues as the charity works with authors, illustrators, bookshops and libraries. It also partners with schools, book publishers and booksellers to bring kids the brilliant £1 World Book Day book tokens. You can also get these books for £1 online- check out our list below to see what's available.

World Book Day 2022: What's the theme?

Every year World Book Day has a theme- this year it is "You Are A Reader". This theme is focusing on reaching children with disadvantaged backgrounds- meaning access to reading for any child in the world. There's also extra celebration because it is the 25th Anniversary of World Book Day too.

What are the £1 books for this year's World Book Day 2022?

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World Day Books 2022

rocket rules1 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Rocket Rules!

This book encourages your little ones to want to impact the world in big ways. Reading Age: Beginning

Dinosaur Roar and Friends!2 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Dinosaur Roar and Friends!

If your child is currently going through their dinosaur phase, this might be the book for you. Reading Age: Beginning

Hey Duggee: The World Book Day Badge3 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Hey Duggee: The World Book Day Badge

Based on the famous TV character, your child can explore World Book Day alongside their pal Duggee. Reading Age: Beginning

Grimwood: Five Freakishly Funny Fables4 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Grimwood: Five Freakishly Funny Fables

As they sit around the campfire, this gang of wildlife animals tell stories and fables that are sure to intrigue your little one.Reading Age: Early

Jemima the Pig and the 127 Acorns5 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Jemima the Pig and the 127 Acorns

You can't go wrong with Michael Morpurgo- so many of us have grown up reading his stories, and there are still more being written for future generations.Reading Age: Early

My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of True or False6 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of True or False

Our favourite comedian Matt Lucas has written this quote "Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly" book of crazy true or false facts. Reading Age: Early

The Worst Class in the World in Danger!7 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

The Worst Class in the World in Danger!

If your child is a fan of Horrid Henry and all things laughable and loony, this book as part of The Worst Class In The World series might be the one for them. Reading Age: Early

Peak Peril8 of 12
CREDIT: books 4 people

Peak Peril

Children detectives solving mysteries on a school trip- what could go wrong? Reading Age: Fluent

The Wizard and Me: More Misadventures of Bubbles the Guinea Pig9 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

The Wizard and Me: More Misadventures of Bubbles the Guinea Pig

If your little one is a fan of David Walliams novels, then they might be interested in Simon Farnaby's stories- the writer of Paddington 2 and writer and star of Horrible Histories and Ghosts. As you can tell from the title, this book is about fantasty and fun. Reading Age: Fluent

Think Like a Boss: Discover the skills that turn great ideas into CASH10 of 12
CREDIT: Amazon

Think Like a Boss: Discover the skills that turn great ideas into CASH

Budding entrepreneurs can read this book to learn about how exciting business can be. Reading Age: Fluent

The Last Word11 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

The Last Word

If your child has a habit of always wanting the last word, this novel by comedian Ben Bailey Smith might help teach them that you have to balance the cheeky with the sensible. Reading Age: Independent

Boy, Missing12 of 12
CREDIT: amazon

Boy, Missing

A fantastic thriller with plenty of gripping moments, Boy, Missing is one for the bookshelf and is perfect for ambitious readers. Reading Age: Independent

More of our favourite books to read for World Book Day

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Books to buy for World Book Day

The Beast of Buckingham Palace By David Walliams1 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Beast of Buckingham Palace By David Walliams

We know and love David Walliams from shows like Britain's Got Talent, but little did we know he has a special gift of his own – writing children's books. David has released a whole collection of stories that'll entertain your kids for hours. The Beast of Buckingham Palace is hands down his most exciting adventure book to date; even you'll want to know what is happening next.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr2 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

Who hasn't read The Tiger Who Came to Tea? This classic book was first published more than 50 years ago and is still loved by children today. When you're reading about Sophie and her mum, you can tell your little one about the time you first read about the tiger interrupting their tea party.

Bear Grylls Adventure: The Blizzard Challenge by Bear Grylls3 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

Bear Grylls Adventure: The Blizzard Challenge by Bear Grylls

Our favourite survival expert teamed up with illustrator Emma McCann to bring you this larger than life adventure book. Your kids will love following Olly on his journey to survive in a blizzard – yikes.

Harry Potter Children's Collection4 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

Harry Potter Children's Collection

You can't get your kids accepted into Hogwarts, but what you can give them is the gift of magic with the entire collection of Harry Potter books by JK Rowling.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl5 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

We've got the golden ticket to the best bedtime story ever! Your kids will want to hear all about Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Charlie Bucket exploring Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar6 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Do you know some hungry caterpillars who would love to read this classic for World Book Day? Then, you're in luck! This is more than just a children's story - it's full of colourful artwork that'll teach little ones about the days of the week and more.

Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland7 of 11

Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland has captured the imaginations of kids since it was first published back in 1865. This iconic novel has led to dozens of spin-offs, and this illustrated book will capture the hearts of your family. Find out together what Alice gets up to when she stumbles upon Wonderland.

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia8 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Has your child smashed their spelling test or been extra helpful around the house? Treat them to The Complete Chronicles of Narnia where they can get lost in epic battles between good and evil. This book will inspire your kids to think outside the box with story lines on struggles and peace.

The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set9 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set by J. R. R. Tolkien

World Book Day isn't restricted to younger children. Teenagers who love to read will really get into this epic fantasy book series. Plus, you can borrow it from them afterwards.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett10 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Your children will be mesmerised by the story about finding a garden, which is a secret place just for the characters. Warning: after reading it will mean building dens in the garden for hours.

Horrid Henry Mischievous Mayhem11 of 11
CREDIT: amazon

Horrid Henry Mischievous Mayhem - 10 Book Box Set by Francesca Simon

Not one, not two but ten Horrid Henry books are included in this fabulous book set. Your kids are guaranteed hours of fun turning the pages to the naughty antics from these stories.

Interested in books from the previous World Book Day in 2021?

World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to encourage your kids to read new books. If you want to get your hands on the best ones for World Book Day, you’ve come to the right place.

Want to check out the books that were part of World Book Day 2021? They're some absolute gems on our list.

We can't wait to add them to out basket, eeek!

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Books for World Book Day 2021

Football School 20 Fantastic Football Stories1 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

Football School 20 Fantastic Football Stories

Fan of football? Then this is a must-read for your little one.

Protect the Planet!2 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

Protect the Planet!

This book teaches your children the importance of acting with kindness towards other people, plants, animals and themselves.

The What the Ladybird Heard Play3 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

The What the Ladybird Heard Play

This will be a great addition to your little one's collection because it's "perfect to perform, read aloud and share".

Gigantosaurus: Dino Spot4 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

Gigantosaurus: Dino Spot

Is your child a fan of dinosaurs? Then they're going to love this book that's set in the prehistoric past.

Luna Loves World Book Day5 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

Luna Loves World Book Day

This adorable book, that follows Luna getting ready for the big day, will get your kids excited about World Book Day too.

Planet Omar: Operation Kind6 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

Planet Omar: Operation Kind

This book is a great reminder of how you can make someone else's day by doing something nice for them.

The River Whale7 of 7
CREDIT: Amazon

The River Whale

When Immy's nightmare leaks into reality she's forced to go on a mission and save the trapped river whale but will she be able to succeed? This book will definitely keep your kids on their toes...

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