The magic of books

Student Reporters Elena Cepaityte 10.4 and Amrin Jaildeen 8.6 report on World Book Day  

World Book Day is an annual event dedicated to fostering a love of reading and inspiring individuals to dive into the world of books. This celebration encourages readers of all ages to explore new titles, discover exciting characters and, most importantly, reignite the spark that comes from reading. At Claremont High School, this day is one of the highlights of the academic year, bringing together students and staff in a shared passion for literature.  

‘Books are one of the most basic ways to communicate with other people and experience their world,’ says Ms Kayn, who is instrumental in World Book Day celebrations at Claremont. ‘Without them, we would struggle to connect with others and life would simply be a lot more boring. Reading builds empathy, expands a person's vocabulary and allows us to experience new worlds and adventures. It also improves literacy, enabling students to better engage with other subjects.’    

For Claremont’s Librarian, Ms Cameron, World Book Day is an opportunity to remind students about the vital role books play in their development: ‘It really helps to spark enthusiasm in students and get them excited to pick up a new book. Stories offer a child so much, helping to shape their growth and development.’ She also believes that World Book Day highlights the library as more than just a space for reading - it’s a place to learn, discover and engage with new ideas. The library is full of exciting activities for students.   

For this year’s World Book Day (6th March 2025), students could participate in puzzle competitions, word searches and a 'golden ticket' treasure hunt. A fun competition where students had to find teachers' photos - showing them reading their favourite books - took them on a tour of the English and Languages departments. The library also hosted cake-baking and book illustration competitions, where students could get creative and showcase their love for books through art and baking. ‘It reminds pupils of the books they've read and encourages them to recommend titles to their friends,’ says Ms Cameron.  

‘The World Book Day events at Claremont started years ago as a celebration of books and reading,’ adds Ms Kayn. ‘We want the students to see how valuable reading is and we love seeing all the skills and creativity brought forth by these competitions.’  

For Ms Cameron, the main goal of World Book Day is to inspire students to visit the library and discover new books. She hopes students leave with a renewed interest in reading and an understanding that the library is a valuable resource available to them throughout the year. Moreover, she believes that fun activities boost students' confidence in their reading abilities: ‘These competitions for reading help the pupils see just how good they really are and it encourages them to engage in discussions around books.’ The school’s emphasis on competitions not only excites students about reading but also builds a community of book lovers who engage with one another through lively conversation.  

Put simply, according to Ms Kayn, ‘World Book Day is a celebration that reminds us of the importance of literature.’ And it’s more than just a celebration of books - it's an invitation to explore new worlds, discover hidden gems in the library and build a lifelong love of reading.  

Bake-a-book winners  

1st place: Dilara Chevik 7.1        

2nd place: Leah and Makayla Hoffman 9.3 & 9.11  

Book illustration winners  

1st place: Krishiv Saini 8.9        

2nd place: Rebecca Warren 10.8