Costumes at the Ready...World Book Day 2026 is Nearly Here!
The Department for Education and National Literacy Trust has designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading and we're ensuring Paddington is turning the page in style. We'll be hosting a week full of events for World Book Day in March; bringing local schools, businesses and volunteers together to spark a love of stories across our neighbourhood.
Across the week, we’ll be running four exciting reading events, each designed to inspire children, boost reading confidence and bring books to life. From character costumes to 1:1 reading sessions, it’s time to say it loud: let’s get reading, Paddington!
World Book Week Events in Paddington
Wednesday 4 March – Reading assessments at Edward Wilson Primary School
We kick off mid‑week with a major literacy boost at Edward Wilson Primary School, where volunteers from Vodafone will spend the day supporting pupils from Year 1 to Year 6. Having received training, the team will carry out miscue analysis reading assessments, helping teachers understand how children develop reading fluency and identifying where extra support can make the biggest difference. It’s hands-on, impactful volunteering and a brilliant opportunity to help young readers build confidence and unlock new worlds through books.
Thursday 5 March – A Triple Celebration of Reading
Thursday is set to be a blockbuster day, with three events taking place across Paddington.
St Peter’s Primary: Storybook Characters Come to Life
Volunteers from Tapestry will be swapping lanyards for costumes as they arrive dressed as their favourite storybook characters. They’ll join pupils at St Peter’s Primary School for a themed assembly before heading into classrooms for group reading and 1:1 reading support. Expect colour, creativity and lots of laughter as characters leap off the page and into real life.
Gateway Academy: 1:1 Reading Support
Volunteers from Visa will be swapping spreadsheets for storybooks as they set off on a literary adventure to Gateway Academy in Church Street. For our first ever volunteering project at the school, these story‑loving volunteers will bring books to life as they step into classrooms for one‑to‑one reading sessions. Expect warm smiles, focused attention and a spark of magic as pages turn, confidence grows and young readers are transported into new worlds - all with a little help from their Visa reading companions.
Gateway Academy are keen to establish ongoing reading support, with volunteers visiting on a regular basis and supporting pupils. We hope that this event, along with all our book-based volunteering during the week, will spark interest and enthusiasm from colleagues, willing to return.
Essendine Primary visit The Point: A Special Reading Event
Meanwhile, Year 5 pupils from Essendine Primary School will be making a special trip to The Point for a memorable reading experience. Children will read in small groups with volunteers and - to make the day even more special - each pupil will receive a brand‑new book to take home. A story to read, a story to keep, and hopefully the start of many more to come.
Friday 6 March – Intergenerational reading
Whilst the World Book Day campaign concentrates its efforts on children’s reading, there are so many benefits to reading at all stages of life, especially for mental health and wellbeing.
We are delighted that colleagues from Takeda will be spending the morning visiting Penfold Hub, a care home and community centre for local older residents in Church Street, on the morning of Friday 6 March. The team will spend time reading to residents and centre members, providing companionship and reminiscing over treasured stories and poems. Meanwhile colleagues from Merchant Square will be rustling up a three-course lunch for everyone to enjoy, promising a truly celebratory end to the week!
World Book Day is always a highlight of the year, but with 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, this one feels particularly special. Across three days; dozens of volunteers and hundreds of children will come together to celebrate stories, literacy and imagination.
If you’d be interested in talking to the team about other opportunities that champion reading and books, please send us an email. We would love to hear from you.