World Book Day: Personal favourites from the Newry City Library staff and some of your pictures

The yearly event is marked by offering affordable books for all ages, some books being as low as £1. These books are priced accordingly with the digital token, which allows you to pick any book within the £1 to £1.50 range. This is to ensure that all children, regardless of their household income takes a book home.

Books are more than just engaging stories; they are also great learning tools for children. Reading with your child can help with language skills, knowledge of the world as well as the confidence to read on their own. Other things that young minds can get from reading is an improved vocabulary and writing abilities, concentration skills and much more.

While the day is aimed at young ages, that doesn’t mean the adults don’t enjoy a good book.

We talked to some of the staff at the Newry City Library to see what was the first book they read, their favourite book and a book or author they would recommend for first timers.

Pauline Doyle’s first book was Anne of Green Gables, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Pauline said: “Anne was a hilarious character, and it was a heart-warming but gut-wrenching story.” Her favourite was I am Pilgram by Terry Hayes and she would recommend The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

Anna Bullman, library assistant, named Famous Five Series by Enid Blyton as her favourite for children and would recommend A Keeper by Graham Norton.

Finally, library branch Manager Lilian Russell said that “The first book I read was the Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, My favouite would have to be To kill a Mocking Bird By Harper Lee and I would recommend the Swedish author Camilla Läckberg and her book The Gilded Cage.”

Here are some of your pictures that you’ve sent us of your young ones dressed up for World Book Day!