Watch the Live Lesson. video
Click here to watch the Live Lesson, now!
Curriculum links:
- National Curriculum, England - Key Stage 2 - English
- National Curriculum, Northern Ireland - Key Stage 2 – Language and Literacy
- Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland - 1st and 2nd Level – Literacy and English
- Curriculum for Wales - Progression steps 2 and 3 – Languages, Literacy and Communication
Learning objectives:
- Understand that people enjoy reading in different ways and for different reasons.
- Explore a range of book types and genres.
- Reflect on our own reading preferences and interests.
- Feel confident identifying ourselves as readers and know what reading materials we would like to read next.
What will happen in the Live Lesson?
Buckle up for a new BBC Live Lesson on World Book Day 2026!
All aboard! This World Book Day, Joel M and Vick Hope are taking your class on a journey to discover how they like to read.
In this curriculum-linked programme for 7-11 year-olds, your pupils will complete fun challenges and hear from some amazing authors as we celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure.
Our Live Lessons artist, Venessa Scott, will be on-hand capturing all our learning in a brilliant poster, with the key message that there’s no right or wrong way to be a reader.
The 30-minute Live Lesson is available to watch now on this page and on BBC iPlayer.
Teaching Guide. document
For downloading/printing
Mission Packs
Download the Mission Pack in preparation for the Live Lesson. There are 3 versions available. Choose the option which best suits your needs.
Pupils are still able to participate without access to the Mission Packs. All instructions will be on screen. We recommend that pupils have a notebook and pen or pencil to hand.
Mission Pack: digital. document
Designed to be opened and edited using a tablet. Pupils will be able to type in text boxes and use the pen tool to draw.
Mission Pack: printable booklet. document
To be printed double-sided on 2 sheets of A4 paper. Fold in half to create A5 booklet. Pages are numbered and should run from 1 to 8 when one sheet is placed inside the other. Designed to support black-and-white printing.
Mission Pack: printable A4 sheets. document
This is the best option if you do not have the option to print double sided. Designed to support black-and-white printing.
Extra resources
Recap the key points from the lesson
Keep the learning going after the lesson with a downloadable poster that sums up the key learning and a catchy song your class can revisit to help them discover their reading vibe.
Press play to listen to the reading vibe song
Reading vibe song lyrics. document
Download the lyrics to the reading vibe song
World Book Day Live Lesson poster. image
Click here to download Venessa's poster
How to get involved:
This programme was live and accompanied by a live website commentary feed for schools.
We added as many messages as we could to this live commentary page on the day of the Live Lesson.
Please do not send any more emails about this lesson, as they will not be included.
Plase note this live commentary feed has now closed. document
Click here or tap here to see if your school has had a shout-out.
Where next?
BBC Live Lessons for 2025/2026. collection
Information about our 2025/2026 Live Lessons for 7-11 year olds.
Watch again: World Book Day 2025 – Live Lesson. video
Celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure in this World Book Day 2025 Live Lesson.
World Book Day - Teaching Resources. collection
Explore our collection of teaching resources for primary and secondary schools, perfect for inspiring your class with the joy of reading on World Book Day.
