How Penguin Random House colleagues shared a story with over 6,000 children this World Book Day

For the second year running, hundreds of colleagues across Penguin Random House UK came together to mark World Book Day and celebrate the magic of reading with over 6,000 children, young people and adults. 

In our largest ever single volunteering effort, over 570 colleagues volunteered in their local communities in London, Frating and Grantham, as well as literacy-vulnerable areas across the capital. We hosted interactive sessions in over 160 nurseries, children’s centres and schools, including storytelling with little ones and quizzing with Years 2-4 in primary schools. To inspire and encourage pupils to continue reading beyond World Book Day, we gifted a total of 5,000 books through book prizes and donations to all schools participating. 

Whilst World Book Day primarily focuses on celebrating reading with children and young people, many of our staff also wanted to use the day to share our books and stories with vulnerable adults within the wider community; working with 10 homeless shelters, prisons and community centres across London.

'I’m trying not to be dramatic, but it was a life-changing experience for me' - Penguin Random House volunteer

Here’s a very quick glimpse into what we got up to on the day…

Storytelling sessions with children under 5; telling the tale of mischievous Noman the Bumblebear and helping little ones create their very own bee antenna to wear home.

Fun and interactive book quizzes for primary school children around some of our most popular stories – from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.

Careers workshops for secondary school students, helping them to understand the different roles available in publishing by following the journey of a book.