Children are being urged to open a new chapter in their learning for World Book Day.

Waterstones Dorchester will be holding activities after school, from 3.30pm until 5pm to celebrate the event on Thursday March 7.

This will include readings from this year’s titles, and activities including colouring, drawing, and other creative fun. Those attending should dress in their best book character costumes and bring their World Book Day tokens.

At the weekend, on Saturday March 9, staff will be holding a midday reading of extracts from this year’s selection of World Book Day Books, along with a series of activities.

During the morning from 10am to 12.30pm, additional events will include colouring activities, designing your own children’s characters, and sharing stories with other children.

The day's theme is based around sharing stories to celebrate the annual international event - now in its twenty second year - which aims to encourage children to explore the pleasure of reading.

Owain from Waterstones Dorchester said: “With some wonderful authors such as Rick Riordan, Lauren Child and Jeff Kinney contributing some fantastic stories to this years World Book Day, we’re really looking forward to finding out what stories are children’s favourites, and what stories they have to share.”

As part of the event, all schoolchildren are entitled to receive a special £1 book token which can be exchanged for one of twelve World Book Day £1 books, or redeemed against any book or audiobook costing £2.99 or more, at participating bookshops and bookclubs.

The token will be valid from Thursday, February 28 to Sunday, March 31.

For further information on this event please contact Waterstones Dorchester on 01305 257123

For the latest news and updates about World Book Day 2019, visit www.worldbookday.com