Fun and engaging ways to celebrate World Book Day 2020 safely at home

World Book Day and World Book Night takes place on 23 April. With many libraries, bookshops and schools still experiencing lockdown measures and social-distancing, events and celebrations have been moved online. Here are some interesting activities that are sure to thrill bookworms of all ages!

Immerse yourself in another universe

UK charity The Reading Agency is encouraging the world to participate in #ReadingHour from 7pm – 8pm GMT. “We want everyone to spend time with a book; reading alone, aloud with others or even by talking to people about books. We’ll be sharing lots of videos from authors on social media throughout the day,” a representative of World Book Night told Lonely Planet.

If you’re wishing to be whisked away to another destination, why not pick up a book set in a foreign country? Lonely Planet recently rounded up a choice of excellent novels to get readers dreaming of European travel, as well as a selection of the best kids’ books or home-schooling.

Mother and daughter with book - LP Kids Lifestyle — Readers both young and old are being encouraged to participate in World Book Day ©Lonely Planet

Stream an online reading session

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online is a free educational resource where children can follow video readings of new and classic books done by special guests. Receiving over 100 million views from all over the world annually, this year, to celebrate World Book Day, Storyline Online will be releasing its first-ever bilingual video, with actor Jaime Camil reading Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies, in both English and Spanish. The website also has a back catalogue of fantastic books.

Global superstar Dolly Parton recently delighted families with the news that she would be reading bedtime stories for children through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library YouTube Channel, with three of the ten-part series already available online.

Get a free Kindle book

To celebrate World Book Day, companies around the world have announced some free offerings. For the next two days, Amazon is offering nine free Kindle books from around the world available for download.

Woman reading book sitting on the floor at home — A woman relaxes at home with a book © Oliver Rossi / Getty Images

Take part in online activities

Penguin books currently have online resources for children through their Puffin brand website, with activities that include drawing tutorials and ultimate Puffin book quizzes. There is also an online Puffin Storytime series with special guest readers.

Airbnb recently announced that online experiences where users can connect with experts and creatives in different fields. Book-centric offerings include reading with a sex-positive rom-com author, memoir writing, and storytime with a children’s author.

Need more reading materials? Check out Lonely Planet's full range of eBooks.