It’s World Book Day today (March 7) and children across East Lancashire have been dressing as their favourite literary characters.

World Book Day was created by UNESCO on April 23 1995. It is a worldwide celebration of books and reading.

Lancashire Telegraph readers have been sharing pictures of children in their costumes – and they look fantastic.

Travis, aged five, was dressed as Andy from Dinosaur Adventure.

Lancashire Telegraph: Travis, aged five, was dressed as Andy from Dinosaur AdventureTravis, aged five, was dressed as Andy from Dinosaur Adventure (Image: Nellany Rachael)

Albie Dea, aged one, looked adorable, dressed as The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

Lancashire Telegraph: Albie Dea as The White Rabbit from Alice in WonderlandAlbie Dea as The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland (Image: Lauren Robertson)

 

20-month-old Matteo dressed as Noddy, a character created by author Enid Blyton.

Lancashire Telegraph: 20-month-old Matteo dressed as Noddy20-month-old Matteo dressed as Noddy (Image: Samantha Jo Duckworth)

Charlie Hawkins Bunten shared an image of Hattie Faith as Peter Rabbit, a character who appears in various children's stories by author Beatrix Potter.

Lancashire Telegraph: Hattie Faith as Peter RabbitHattie Faith as Peter Rabbit (Image: Charlie Hawkins Bunten)

Tracey Holroyd shared an image of seven-year-old Reuben dressed as Paddington.

Lancashire Telegraph: Seven-year-old Reuben dressed as PaddingtonSeven-year-old Reuben dressed as Paddington (Image: Tracey Holroyd)

Georgia Mai, aged six, was Harry Potter character Hermione Granger. Sophie, aged eight (going on 84) was dressed as David Walliams character Gangsta Granny. 

Lancashire Telegraph: (L-R)Georgia Mai, aged six, as Harry Potter character Hermione Granger. Sophie, aged eight was dressed as David Walliams character Gangsta Granny(L-R)Georgia Mai, aged six, as Harry Potter character Hermione Granger. Sophie, aged eight was dressed as David Walliams character Gangsta Granny (Image: George McGurk)

Jordan, aged eight, covered himself in orange paint as an Oompa Loompa, from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jordan, aged eight, c as an Oompa Loompa, from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryJordan, aged eight, c as an Oompa Loompa, from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Image: Jade Walsh)

Tommy Wilkinson, aged six, thought outside the box and dressed as a golden ticket, which features in the same book.

Lancashire Telegraph: Tommy Wilkinson, aged six, as a golden ticketTommy Wilkinson, aged six, as a golden ticket (Image: Isabel Carswell)

Keeping with the Roald Dahl theme was Harriet, aged six, who dressed as Matilda.

Lancashire Telegraph: Harriet, aged six, as MatildaHarriet, aged six, as Matilda (Image: Jodie Leigh)

Emma Brown shared a picture of Josie, aged five, who looked “practically perfect in every way”, dressed as Mary Poppins.

Lancashire Telegraph: Josie, aged 5 as Mary Poppins Josie, aged 5 as Mary Poppins (Image: Emma Brown)

Padiham Primary School pupil, Georgie, aged five, went to school as as villain Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians.

Lancashire Telegraph: Padiham Primary School pupil, Georgie, aged five, dressed as villain Cruella De Vil from 101 DalmatiansPadiham Primary School pupil, Georgie, aged five, dressed as villain Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians (Image: Steph Anie)

Amelia Phillipson, aged eight, dressed as scary headteacher, from Matilda, Miss Trunchbull.

Lancashire Telegraph: Amelia Phillipson, aged eight, dressed as scary headteacher, from Matilda, Miss TrunchbullAmelia Phillipson, aged eight, dressed as scary headteacher, from Matilda, Miss Trunchbull (Image: Melissa Phillipson)

World Book Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries around the globe. The first World Book Day in the UK and Ireland took place in 1997 to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading. 

World Book Day founder, Baroness Gail Rebuck, said: “We wanted to do something to reposition reading and our message is the same today as it was then – that reading is fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has the power to transform lives.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Isla English, aged seven, inspired by Julia Donaldson book The Snail and the WhaleIsla English, aged seven, inspired by Julia Donaldson book The Snail and the Whale (Image: Hayls Amanda)

The theme for World Book Day 2024 is 'Read Your Way'.

Explaining this year's theme, the charity said: "World Book Day 2024 will celebrate that children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed and we make reading fun.

"Reading for pleasure improves children’s life chances across a range of social, educational and well-being measures.

Lancashire Telegraph: Harvey, aged three, as Mr. Men character Mr BumpHarvey, aged three, as Mr. Men character Mr Bump (Image: Beckie Ratcliffe)

"However, research from the National Literacy Trust found that fewer than 1 in 2 (47.8%) children now say they enjoy reading; this is the lowest level since 2005, and reading enjoyment is lowest among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Read Your Way calls on everyone to let go of pressure and expectations, giving children a choice – and a chance – to enjoy reading."

So send us your World Book Day photos - email wbdlancashiretelegraph@newsquest.co.uk. Don't forget to include your child's full name, age and the character they are dressed up as.