Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, is today supporting World Book Day’s 25th anniversary and the amazing contribution the initiative has made to childhood literacy in the constituency in that time.

Each year, World Book Day creates bespoke £1 books for children and young adults across the UK and Ireland, to promote the power of imagination and the importance of reading. Through World Book Day, every child in Hornchurch & Upminster will be given a £1 book token, which they can take to a bookshop or supermarket to get their free World Book Day book. 

Julia said “It is a pleasure to support World Book Day in its 25th year, particularly as I am now the Minister for the Creative Industries, which includes the UK’s outstanding publishing sector. It is so important that every child and young adult in Hornchurch & Upminster has the chance to have a book of their own that they have chosen for themselves. Reading helps children become more empathetic, curious, and knowledgeable, aids with their general learning and creates precious family moments at story time.”

World Book Day has been changing children’s lives by encouraging a love of books and reading for 25 years. Reading for pleasure makes an enormous impact on a child’s future – whether that’s their educational success, well-being or mental health. World Book Day wants to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the life-long habit of reading for pleasure that will improve their life chances.