MILLIONS of children and adults will turn over a new leaf today.
It’s World Book Day and book lovers will celebrate by picking up a book and having a good read.
The day, founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, is marked in more than 100 countries and aims is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading.
Every pupil at Spring Grove Junior Infant and Nursery School will visit Huddersfield Library to take part in a host of activities today and tomorrow.
Kirstie Wilson, Huddersfield Library development librarian, said: “Children love books and because we have so much more choice here than in schools we hope it reinvigorates their passion for reading.”
The Horrid Henry books and those by author Jacqueline Wilson remain popular among children in Huddersfield, with TV and film having a big impact on which books adults borrow.
Kirstie added: “We do have a look at which films based on books are being released to see what people will want to borrow.
“The Twilight series of books are always in demand, which has had a knock-on effect on other vampire books.”
There are readers’ groups at almost every Kirklees library and the unique Readers Circle – a postal, online and digital TV based service which connects book lovers – is proving popular.
The scheme allows people not only to read books, but share their views on the books, write their own stories and also comment on other people’s stories too.
Diane Sims said of the virtual reading group: “We’ve found that people like local interest books, we’ve had a lot of requests for Deric Longden books.
“They like things which aren’t frivolous but lighter, a lot of our members have a great sense of humour and like witty books.”
Nasima Ali, 19, a Huddersfield A-level student at Bradford College, said: “I think books are still relevant and will always be, despite the internet.
“I think a lot of young people do rely on the internet, but for studying and revising nothing beats the book.
“I used to read a lot more when I was younger, I need to make more time to do it now.”
Nasima’s recommendation: Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.
Joyce Turner, 62, a retired teacher of Deighton, said: “I love reading – always have and always will.
“I’m never without a book, I can’t begin to think of how many I’ve read over the years.
“I’d help children with their reading at school then come home and relax with a book myself.
“World Book Day is great if it gets children away from the TV and internet.”
Joyce’s recommendation: anything by Gervase Phinn.
Joyce’s current read: Danielle Steele’s Ransom.
Tim O’Sullivan, 54, of Bradley, said: “I’m not much of a book reader, give me a newspaper over a book any day.”
