We were delighted to see Bear Rescue by Hannah Gold (illustrated by Levi Pinfold) on the World Book Day list. The Last Bear is a Literacy Tree favourite, and we’ve been lucky enough to hear Hannah speak to our English Subject Leaders about how she created the adventures of April. She’s back here with another Arctic tale (shorter, but just as powerful!) offering a heart-warming and thrilling adventure for readers aged 8 and up.

As in her previous books, the story follows April Wood, a courageous young girl who sets out on a perilous mission when her younger brother, August, disappears during a sudden snowstorm in the far North. Joined by her loyal husky, Blaze, and Bear (the legendary polar bear from earlier adventures) April treks across the frozen wilderness to find him before it’s too late.

As a self-professed Skandar super-fan I was delighted at the announcement of The Secret Element by A F Steadman being released as part of the World Book Day offer this year. Fellow Skandar fans will not be disappointed in this latest instalment, which explores the familiar plot from a well-known character’s perspective. But it does more than this; it offers an accessible way into the world of Skandar for early readers, reluctant readers and ‘new to’ the world of Skandar readers. Younger siblings of existing Skandar fans will find they can access the same wonderful world as their older siblings through this manageable addition to the series. It’s a fantasy adventure that all children (and adults!) can enjoy. 

The book begins with a child filled with self-doubt, who doesn’t believe he would ever be a unicorn rider. But guess what? The island is calling… We follow our character’s journey of discovery and learn all about the unique connection between rider and unicorn, first formed within the walls of the underground hatchery on the island. From here, the adventure unfolds.

In the National Year of Reading there is a lot to be said for engaging readers by bringing them books linked to their existing interests. This book is an excellent example of that! Fans of the hugely popular ‘Unicorn Academy’ series will not be disappointed by the inclusion of this book in the World Book Day offer this year. The familiarity that it brings is sure to appeal to this base of readers, and the magic of unicorns bonded to their rider is something many will enjoy.

This book is a ‘diary’ of Sophia and Wild Star’s first year together at Unicorn Academy and it is filled with sparkling unicorns, adventures and secrets. Published by Nosy Crow, there is also access to an audiobook (another great way of engaging readers!). On the official World Book Day website there is access to videos of Sophia and Wild Star, as well as a sing along video.

The wave of pride that swept across the country as the Lionesses lifted the World Cup trophy reminded me just how powerful football stories can be. That same buzz and excitement runs through this lively collection of stories by Matt Oldfield. Unbelievable Football: The Most Amazing World Cup Stories You Never Knew explores some of the most surprising moments from World Cup history, showing why the game continues to capture hearts across generations around the world.

The book focuses on unexpected heroes and pivotal moments that changed tournaments. What I love most is that it presents football as a space where belief in yourself is what counts and where one moment can shift everything. How magical that children reading this get that sense of possibility - this feels especially meaningful for children newly inspired by the women’s game!

For World Book Day, I picked up Pablo and Splash: The Castle Quest by Sheena Dempsey - and it absolutely dials the silliness up to eleven. Pablo and Splash are a classic comedy duo: Splash embodies optimism, eagerness and impulsivity, while the more reserved Pablo provides plenty of cynical eye-rolls and realism. In this instalment of their time-travelling adventures, the penguin pals are whisked back to medieval England in search of the Holy Grail… sorry, the Holy Krill - a misunderstanding that pretty much sets the tone for the adventure that ensues.

Expect a hilarious mash-up of medieval England: suits of armour, dungeon imprisonment, and dramatic accusations of witchcraft (because of course a flying time machine and two talking penguins must be supernatural). If you’re after a proper romp of a read, for just £1, this book truly delivers.

In this instalment of Serena Patel’s popular series, the Pet Club are helping out at the community fair when Iggy the Iguana - star of the Amazing Animal Roadshow - suddenly goes missing. Things very quickly descend into a wild goose chase… or rather, a wild iguana chase?

However, as panic builds, Pia keeps her cool, efficiently splitting the Pet Club into pairs and assigning each duo a different section of the park to search. Teaming up with her best friend Hari, Pia investigates a vegetable stall (complete with suspiciously nibbled leaves), a flower bed where track marks confirm reptilian presence, and eventually a sun-drenched spot above the candyfloss kiosk.

The brilliant thing about Chaos at the Chocolate Factory by Sibéal Pounder is the way it playfully steps back into the delicious world first created by Roald Dahl, while giving Charlie Bucket centre stage in a brand-new, laugh-out-loud adventure. Written as a special World Book Day story and inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this tale sees Charlie learning the ropes as the new head of Willy Wonka’s extraordinary factory.

When Mr Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas head off in search of marvellous new ingredients, Charlie is left in charge for the very first time. What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out… quite a lot. From chaotic confectionery mishaps to inventions that don’t behave as they should, the factory begins to spiral into sticky, chocolate-covered disaster.

Funny FACTopia! is a wildly entertaining dive into unexpected and sometimes hilarious facts. The book is bought to life with vibrant illustrations, and rather than presenting facts in isolation; it links each surprising nugget to the next, creating a chain reaction of knowledge. On one page, a fact about jellyfish leads to a fact about doughnuts then to a fact about black holes and somehow a fact about spaghetti! This clever structure keeps readers curious and engaged, making it very difficult to stop turning the pages to read the next one!

The detailed artwork adds energy and accessibility, especially for younger readers. Although the fun design invites browsing (you can skip ahead and back again), the content itself delivers substance, covering subjects from science to geography and from history to pop-culture, all in bite-sized, memorable chunks.

This is a riotous, high-energy comic packed with explosive silliness and laugh-out-loud moments. In this instalment of the wildly popular Bunny vs Monkey series, Monkey’s latest bout of mischief sends the forest into complete mayhem! With Bunny and the gang scrambling to survive the chaos. The fast-paced, bite-sized comic strips and bold, expressive artwork make it an incredibly engaging read, especially for younger readers who enjoy visual humour and non-stop action.

What makes the book even more creative is the inclusion of step-by-step instructions at the end showing readers how to draw the characters themselves. This interactive touch goes beyond just telling a story, it invites children to become creators too, extending the fun long after the final page.