THE University of Bradford is playing host to the Share a Story Live tour on World Book Day itself on March 7.

It will take place at the Great Hall at the University of Bradford on Richmond Road. The event begins at 10am and finishes at 2pm, although there will be book signings afterwards.

The event is in partnership with the National Literacy trust and hosted by Bradford Literature Festival, in association with Provident Financial Group.

The free event will see 650 children come together for an exciting day of interactive events featuring some top children’s authors.

For the first time, World Book Day 2019 will bring its Share a Story Live tour to communities across the UK where low levels of literacy are seriously impacting people’s lives.

Areas chosen include Dundee, Bradford, Swindon and Manchester.

The National Literacy Trust works in each of these areas to bring together local businesses, health, education and cultural organisations to help tackle literacy challenges in the community.

A diverse and exciting line-up of authors will be coming to Bradford.

Onjali Q. Raúf, whose book The Boy at the Back of the Class has been nominated for the Blue Peter Book Award 2019, will be there, as will CBeebies’ favourite vet Dr Jess French talking Rubbish, Recycling and Protecting our Planet.

Eleven Bradford primary schools will attend the special event: Netherleigh & Rossefield School, St Winefride's Catholic Primary Academy, Farnham Primary School, St John's CE Primary School, Hill Top CE Primary School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Keelham Primary School, Beckfoot Allerton Primary School & Nursery, Wibsey Primary School, Harden Primary School and Parkwood Primary School.

Syima Aslam, Director of Bradford Literature Festival, said: “We are overjoyed to have been asked to facilitate the Bradford World Book Day event and to be able to bring such an exciting line-up of authors to the city ahead of our own Schools Programme which takes place each year over the course of the festival.

"BLF’s work with schools and young people is integral to everything we do, and we are dedicated to offering all young people the opportunity to engage with amazing, life-changing literature.

"We hope that the schools involved will enjoy taking part in this fantastic opportunity, and that we can inspire everyone involved – children and teachers alike - to pick up a book and get reading.”

Find more information, and join the conversation via: worldbookday.com | @WorldBookDayUK #ShareAStory

This event marks an extension of the Bradford Literature Festival Schools Programme, which normally takes place within festival dates, but which will soon move to a year-round programme of district-wide engagement.

In 2018, the festival's Schools Programme saw more than 30,000 attendances across six days, engaged 74 schools in Bradford and featured over 130 events.

Bradford Literature Festival takes place from June 28 to July 7 2019. For more information on taking part in the festivals free School’s Programme, visit www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/schools/