Next Thursday (2 March 2017) is the 20^th World Book Day 2017 and libraries across Suffolk will be helping to distribute book tokens to children so they can get one of ten free special World Book Day books.

Several libraries will also be hosting special events to mark the day (all on Thursday 2 March except the Newmarket Library event):

Gainsborough Community Library in Ipswich are holding a Disney-themed event from 3pm to 5pm. The event will include an ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Princess and Prince’ themed activity areas, snacks at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, a ‘Disney Journey’ area, where you can learn about the work of Walt Disney and the Disney company.

There will also be face-painting, princess hair styling, sand art and crafts, a Disney quiz and a photo booth. There will also be a chance to win prizes. The event is being supported by the library’s Friends group, Voices 4 Gainsborough Community Library. There is a suggested donation of £1 to take part in the event.

Broomhill Library in Ipswich are holding an after-school book-related craft session from 3.30pm to 5pm.

Kedington Library are holding a Very Hungry Caterpillar event at 4pm where children can come and make a mask or caterpillar and hear the story being read.

Great Cornard Library are holding a team book quiz on Thursday at 3.30pm. If you think you know a lot about books, why not come along and test your knowledge. All ages are welcome. Teams can contain up to six people and it’s free to enter.

Newmarket Library will be getting involved with Boots Opticians’ Harry Potter event, (which also runs at Boots Opticians in the Guineas Shopping Centre on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 March). Newmarket Library’s event runs on Saturday 4 March from 9am to 5pm. There will be crafts, cakes and a tombola outside the library all day and a reading from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the library at 2:30pm.

Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries Development Manager and Children’s Lead, said: “We celebrate books and reading all year round but World Book Day is a chance to encourage children to visit their library or pick up a free book which might spark a lifelong love of reading. Why not make World Book Day the day you visit your local library and sign up your child for their first library card.”

2017 marks the 20th World Book Day. World Book Day is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) a celebration of reading. It’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNECSO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.

The main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. 15million book tokens will be distributed by schools and libraries and can either be exchanged for a free book or can be used to get £1 off the price of a full price book at a participating bookshop.

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For a full list of all upcoming events in our libraries visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/upcoming-events