To kick off the evening, you will enjoy a delectable dinner at a nearby restaurant, before returning to the Hidden Library and settling in for a night of beautiful bookish dreams; well read and ready for bed.
--Airbnb listing for the Hidden Library of St Paul's Cathedral in London
Yesterday was World Book Day in the U.K. and Ireland, with bookshops, publishers, libraries, and schools celebrating to emphasize the point that "children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed and we make reading fun."
As we mentioned earlier this week, one WBD tradition has taken a cost of living crisis hit in recent years. The Guardian reported that "while in the past many schools asked children to dress up as their favorite book character for the event, in recent years some schools have adopted more flexible policies, asking children to wear pajamas or comfortable clothing instead."
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| At Bert's Books, Swindon | |
WBD CEO Cassie Chadderton noted that the charity has always asked schools to "have a think about their context, have a think about the children that are in their setting, and think about what will work best for them."
British indie children's bookseller Wonderland Bookshop, Retford, also offered some context on social media: "Have an amazing World Book Day tomorrow, everyone! If you're fretting about costumes, please don't. It can be fun and a great way to show love for a book, but it's not the main focus. If you're not a fan of dress up, lots of your favorite characters wear T-shirts and jeans!
"This doesn't mean I'm anti dressing up. I know it can be a fun part of celebrations and it must feel amazing for authors and illustrators! But it's not the main focus and it's important to remember that it's not for everyone. And that's okay!"
Other indies celebrated in their own ways:
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| At the Old Bank Bookshop | |
Antonia's Bookstore, Trim, Ireland: "We had a fabulous world book day today with visits by classes from St. Patrick's NS Trim and St Mary's NS Trim. Thank you to local author Tatyana Stewart Feeney for reading from her book Mr. Wolf Goes to the Ball."
White Rose Books & Coffee Bar, Thirsk: "We're having lots of fun on World Book Day today, pupils from Cundall Manor School enjoyed choosing books and Storytime."
Hunting Raven Books, Frome: "We are having a total blast at All Hallows! This is day 2 of our two-day book fair here and we've been really enjoying the amazing World Book Day outfits of both the staff and students. Every child has had the chance to take a book home and it's been so fun helping them choose from this brilliant selection of titles! We love running book fairs, so do get in touch if you would like to consider running one in your school."
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| At Hunting Raven Books | |
The Old Bank Book Shop, Wigtown, Scotland: "Happy at our work! #HappyWorldBookDay"
The Edinburgh Bookshop, Edinburgh, Scotland: "800 tokens redeemed already and visits from over 250 children from the local primary school! Happy World Book Day!"
I found myself thinking about my life as a young reader. I don't recall any sort of promotional activities, national or local, taking place where I grew up. Which is kind of a shame, since the act of reading was life's blood for me early on. It gave me the world, even within the limitations of small town life. There wasn't much outside encouragement; no one ever took a photo of me reading a book, which is odd because my face was usually buried in one.
Now, as an aging but still prolific reader, I've finally found a proper way to celebrate WBD (if only in my imagination).
Inspired by WBD, Airbnb announced that a pair of lucky readers will be able to "get lost in a literary paradise, hidden within the world-famous walls of St. Paul's Cathedral" in London, where they will embark on the "ultimate bookish adventure, spending the night surrounded by a curated collection of over 22,000 books, in one of the most breathtaking and hidden libraries in the world."
Describing the Hidden Library as "a magical space," Airbnb noted that the two lucky guests who stay there "will be the first to officially sleep inside the Cathedral since the St. Paul's Watch protected the building during World War II. You will enter the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral through the Dean's door and climb the famous Geometric Staircase, designed by English architect Sir Christopher Wren over three hundred years ago. You will be greeted by the Dean of St. Paul's and receive an exclusive tour of the Cathedral. At the top of the staircase, you will enter the doors to the charming library space, and be given the exclusive opportunity to lose track of time in the pages of Holly Jackson's The Reappearance of Rachel Price, John Grisham's Camino Ghosts, and Kevin Kwan's Lies and Weddings before they hit the shelves."
This exclusive stay will be available March 15 for one night only. Potential guests can request the privilege to book a stay beginning March 12. Perhaps the better-than-fiction aspect of this experience is the cost: £7 (about $8.90) for the night, with breakfast and dinner included at nearby restaurants.
Isobel Hunter, CEO of Libraries Connected and chair of the Roald Dahl Museum, was already getting prepared: "Library lovers: set your alarm for 12th March at 10 a.m. for your chance to book a night's stay in St. Paul's Cathedral's 'hidden' library. I am sitting in front of my laptop for the next week ready to press BOOK!"
Here's the "beautiful bookish dreams" part: I don't have to be in the Hidden Library; I can already imagine it because I'm a reader.