Children’s Books Ireland and An Post are celebrating the delivery of 40,000 World Book Day books to children in need across the country, just in time for World Book Day on Thursday, 6^th March. With the support of An Post, these additional books have been gifted and distributed for free to children in Irish hospitals, Direct Provision centres, homelessness services and Travelling communities, ensuring as many children as possible can experience the joy of a great story.

This year’s World Book Day Ireland — sponsored by National Book Tokens and delivered by An Post in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland — is making books and reading more accessible than ever. With support from Vision Ireland and ChildVision, accessible copies of the Irish-published books are available to children and young people in audio, digital braille and other Epub formats. Families and children are also encouraged to use their €1.50/£1 World Book Day tokens, available through schools, early years settings, children’s magazines online, and in bookshops, to claim one of 14 specially curated titles before 23^rd March.

Speaking about World Book Day Ireland, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said,  “From our youngest readers through to teenagers, we want every reader to be involved in the celebrations on World Book Day. In partnership with An Post, we are bringing 40,000 free World Book Day titles to 122 charity locations nationwide, ensuring that children in need can experience the joy of reading and the comfort of a book.  With a diverse selection of 14 titles to choose from, we hope that children across Ireland will feel inspired to reach for a book and read their way this World Book Day.”

Schools, libraries and bookshops across the country will mark the day with celebrations including author meet and greets with World Book Day artists, Paddy Donnelly, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Andrew Whitson AKA Mr. Ando; including storytelling sessions, and costume challenges where pupils to dress up as their favourite character from a book. 

Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post Retail said, “An Post are tremendously proud to be the official delivery partner of World Book Day in Ireland. We will be delivering over 924,000 book tokens to every school nationwide in addition to donating and delivering over 40,000 free books to children who are most in need this World Book Day. 

For us World Book Day is about igniting the love of reading in children and ensuring every child has access to books. Reading books is proven to be way more effective at stimulating the imagination and encouraging creativity compared to screens and TV, unlocking knowledge and understanding of new things which has lifelong benefits, creating a better future for all.” 

Cassie Chadderton, World Book Day CEO said, “At the heart of World Book Day is the belief, backed by evidence, that children are more likely to read if they enjoy it and have a choice in what and how to read.”

“Graphic novels, comics, or one of our amazing £1/€1.50 books – free in exchange for a World Book Day book token – can help unlock the power of reading. We’re excited to be working with so many partners to reach even more children and families, and to invite everyone to join the party and ‘Read Their Way’ this World Book Day.” 

Seán Ó Coinn, CEO, Foras na Gaeilge said, “We are delighted to be supporting World Book Day Ireland with the inclusion of an Irish-language book for the fourth year in a row. The demand from bookshops for the Irish-language book for World Book Day is increasing year on year. We are thrilled that this year, with the support of Children’s Books Ireland and An Post that over 10,000 copies of Ag Buzzáil sa Ghairdín by Áine Ní Ghlinn, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór will be available to children and families all over the island of Ireland.”

Irish-language books and resources are supported by Foras na Gaeilge and accessible copies are provided by Vision Ireland and ChildVision.

World Book Day 2025 will take place on Thursday, 6^th March 2025. Discover the full range of €1.50/£1 World Book Day 2025 titles here. See further information on World Book Day tokens here.

ENDS

Contact: Julie Sherlock / Courtney Kearns, Alice Public Relations, Email: media@alicepr.com / Telephone 0044-7834-776519/ 00353-83-0713503

Notes to Editors:

• Áine Ní Ghlinn, author of Ag Buzzáil sa Ghairdín, is available for interview.
• Andrew Whitson a.k.a. Mr Ando, illustrator of Ag Buzzáil sa Ghairdín, is available for interview.
• Paddy Donnelly, author and illustrator of Fox & Son Tailers, is available for interview.

• All 14 World Book Day 2025 books available in Ireland are listed here.
• Campaign hashtags: #WBD25 #WorldBookDayIreland #WBDIrel25

Photography

• Photocall images and World Book Day book covers are available to download here

About World Book Day | World Book Day changes lives through a love of books and reading. Its mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. World Book Day want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them. Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

Website: worldbookday.com

An Post | An Post is Ireland’s leading provider of postal, e-commerce, and financial services, delivering to communities across the country everyday. Committed to innovation and sustainability, An Post connects people, business and communities through reliable, efficient, and customer focused services. From championing literacy and education initiatives to supporting local communities, An Post is dedicated to making a positive impact on Irish society.

Website: anpost.com

About National Book Tokens | National Book Tokens are the perfect gift for book lovers everywhere and are the only gift cards sold and accepted in bookshops across Ireland and the UK, including all the major chains and local independents. As proud sponsors of World Book Day, National Book Tokens supports lifelong learning and improving literacy and access to reading for everyone.

Website: nationalbooktokens.com

About Children’s Books Ireland| Children’s Books Ireland is the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading. Its mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share its expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events, and to support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.

Website: childrensbooksireland.ie 

About Foras na Gaeilge | Foras na Gaeilge is the primary Irish-language body on the island, established as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote and support all aspects of the Irish language and to advise administrations, North and South, in all matters relating to the Irish language. It also creates supportive projects and provides grant aid to groups and organisations throughout the island of Ireland.

Website: www.forasnagaeilge.ie