World Book Day: Why Reading Is So Important - and Fun!

Why do we celebrate World Book Day?

World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe and has been since 23^rd April 1995 when UNESCO created it. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and it also brought us World Teachers’ Day, International Day of Peace, World Environment Day, World Art Day and International Day for Women and Girls in Science. 🧪

UNESCO wanted to mark a day that reminds children how amazing reading is and how valuable books are. In the UK, we’ve been honouring World Book Day since 1997, which means this year it’s the 25^th anniversary! 🎈

Why is reading so important?    

We know that reading can seem a little boring, especially because you need to read a lot for school. But reading can be enjoyable too – you just need to find the right book! Imagine being swept away into amazing stories with lots of interesting characters – sounds fun right?

Let us tell you some more reasons why reading is really good for you, no matter what your age!

• Reading improves your vocabulary

Learning new words, especially ones that seem hard at first, will make you a better reader, writer, listener and speaker. A good way to remember these words is to underline words in your book – in pencil! – or you can note them down as you read. Next, look up the word online or in the dictionary to find the meaning. Finally, practice using the word when you’re speaking or writing; if you’re not 100% sure if you’re using it correctly, ask your parents or teacher – we’re sure they’ll be happy to help you!

• Your memory will improve

When you read a book, fiction or nonfiction, your brain is taking in a lot of information and your memory muscle is working hard to remember what’s happening. The more you work this muscle – just like any other muscle in your body – the stronger it will become and the better your memory will be. 🧠 

• You learn to focus and concentrate

Sometimes, there are so many things going on around us, it can be difficult to concentrate on one thing. This is where reading comes in; it can really help you focus. Make sure you’re sitting in a comfortable position, relax and let your mind focus on your book, and your book only. 😉 It’s helpful to turn your phone off or put it on silent while you read, because distraction is the enemy of focus! 

• Let your imagination run free

If you choose to read a book that doesn’t have pictures, where do you think the pictures will come from? They’ll come from you. As you’re reading, your mind is painting pictures of the places, people and stories on the pages. Stimulating your imagination in this way will enable you to become a more creative thinker. 💡

• Reading can relieve stress

School, friends, siblings, exams – life can feel a little hard sometimes, right? Luckily, reading is an excellent stress reliever. The University of Sussex did a study and it found that reading for just six minutes led to a slower heart rate, less muscle tension and reduced stress levels. So next time you’re feeling worried or anxious, simply reach for your favourite book. 💖 

• Reading doesn’t need to be expensive

If you’ve read all the books on your shelf and you’re ready for something new, head to your nearest library. There’s usually aisles and aisles of choices, and they’re free to borrow. Plus, there’s something very peaceful about a library. ✌️ 

How often should we read? 

Studies have found that reading for as little as ten minutes a day will benefit your concentration levels, boost your mood and help reduce stress levels. Of course, if you’re reading a book that you enjoy, why stop at ten minutes? As long as it doesn’t get in the way of your schoolwork, reading as much and as often as possible will benefit you throughout your life.

What are some interesting facts about books?

• According to Google, there are about 130 million published books. 😲
• The best-selling book of all time is the Bible.
• The world’s longest novel is by Marcel Proust, and it’s called Remembrance of Things Past; it has 9,609,000 characters (each letter and space counts as a character). 🤯
• The Epic of Gilgamesh is the first book that was ever written, that we know of.         

Not sure what book to read next? Our guide to the best books for teens will give you some ideas.

If you want help with your reading, our GoStudent tutors are here for you! You can book a free trial lesson with us, just make sure to check with your parents first. 🤓