World Book Day 2011

This Thursday is World Book Day. There are a huge number of events and celebrations taking place to mark this event. I will be reading to the Junior Infants at my son's school and talking to the older kids about writing as a career. I am mildly terrified about the prospect of both!

To also celebrate World Book Day, I will be featuring a number of excellent children's books on the blog this week. First up are two excellent new books from Random House. I have a copy of each to give-away so if you would like to be entered into the draw, please leave a comment below stating which book, if any, you'd prefer. Winners will be announced on Thursday.

Scruffy Bear and the Six White Mouse by Chris Wormell is a gorgeous, hardback book. It tells the story of Scruffy Bear as he protects six, scared white mice from an owl, a fox and a snake. "Curl up, curl up," he tells them, "and don't forget to tuck in your tales." They trick the owl into thinking they are snowballs and the fox into thinking they are furry eggs - but what will happen when one of the mice forgets to tuck in his tail? My three-year-old and five-year-old loved this book from the first time we read it. The story is lovely and based on the concept of taking care of each other - and the illustrations are fantastic. We've also loved Chris Wormell's 'One Smart Fish' - the book I reviewed for World Book Day last year and which I will be reading to my son's class this week.

Peely Wally by Kali Stileman is FAB! I love the name apart from anything else! If you like Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), you will love the vivid illustrations in this book. Peely Wally is a bird whose egg rolls off the branch and goes on an adventure through the jungle meeting lots of animals along the way. Children can follow the dotted trail of the egg with their finger across the pages and there's a lovely surprise when the egg cracks open at the end (in a lift-the-flap way!). Both my children loved this, especially the three-year-old, and I think it would make a lovely easter gift for any pre-schooler. This is a soft cover book.

World Book Day is a UNESCO-designated occasion to celebrate all the great things that book can give us. It also helps to raise funds for an incredible charity: Book Aid International. They send books to communities in sub-Saharan Africa and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, bringing education, imagination and hope to some of those who need it most. On and around World Book Day (Thursday 03 March) there are a number of easy, fun ways to show your support for Book Aid International. They include Meet Talk Give, for book groups, amongst others. Your support can really make a difference, because every £2 raised will send another book overseas. You can find lots more ideas, and see where your efforts will go, on the Book Aid International blog.

This giveaway competition is now closed.

World Book Day 2011