BRADFORD Libraries will be celebrating World Book Day next week.

This year World Book Day is on Thursday March 5 and there will be a wide range of activities in the District to encourage children to celebrate and discover their local library and reading.

Two children’s authors will visit especially for schools. Firstly, there will be “Ned, go to bed” with author Cathy Oakley Calvert and illustrator Margaret Swift and a special appearance from Ned, the sheepdog, himself. Children will hear about Ned’s adventures and then have the opportunity to create their own Ned storyboard with illustrator Margaret Swift. Children from Byron Primary; Beckfoot Allerton Primary; St Matthew’s CofE Primary; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary; Horton Park Primary; Copthorne Primary and Fagley Primary will be joining Ned at various libraries during the week including World Book Day.

Margaret Mulligan, author of Katy Parker and the House That Cried, will be visiting City Library. The story is about Katy, a young girl assigned a school history project on WW2, only to find that her research takes a strange turn, when she and her brother find themselves waking up in 1940s England.

GALLERY: Children get in character for World Book Day

Margaret will be reading extracts from her book and discussing events with the children.

The children will also take part in an activity to consider what they would choose to take if they were evacuated. Pupils from Killinghall Primary; Beckfoot Allerton Primary; Fagley Primary; Copthorne Primary; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary and Coop Academy will be joining Margaret during the week.

There are also lots of World Book Day activities for pre-schooler children and after-school for school children.

On World Book Day Thursday, 5 March, Burley Library has stories from 2.15pm for under 5’s and from 3.30pm will have stories and crafts for children from 5 to 12 years-old. While Manningham Library will be making World Book Day bookmarks from 11am.

Menston Library has invited local children’s picture book author Arthur Allsop to read to the children and show his sketches which he uses in creating his books. The event is after school for families from 3.30pm.

At Wibsey Library there will be story time and bookmark making for under 5’s from 2pm.

Queensbury Library is encouraging children to dress up as their favourite book character on Saturday, 7 March for book character activities.

Idle Library has a feast of activities to celebrate World Book Day. On Monday, 2 March they will be celebrating Fairytale Characters from 2pm to 3pm and on Wednesday, 4 March from 3.30pm to 5.30pm they will have a Young Reader World Book Day Celebration for children from age 5 to 10 years. Idle is also inviting children to come dressed as a favourite book character on Monday, 9 March 10am to 11am.

A full listing of all Bradford Libraries World Book Day events can be found at bradford.gov.uk/libraries. All events are free.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: "There are lots of events taking place in our libraries this year to celebrate World Book Day and get children passionate about books. It is a great chance to promote reading and a love of books."