In the week when National Literacy Trust research reveals that children’s reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in almost two decades, World Book Day has revealed the 15 new £1/€1.50 books for 2024.

The 2024 £1 World Book Day selection includes re-imagined classics, adventure tales, picture books and comic book and graphic stories, aiming to give all children choice in what they read.

More than 500,000 children in England don’t own a book, which rises to one in 10 for children eligible for Free School Meals. Of these children, one in five shared that the book they ‘bought’ with their World Book Day token was the first book of their own.

In 2023, over 2 million £1/€1.50 books were gifted to children by booksellers and publishers. A total of 50 million £1/€1.50 book tokens were distributed by the charity through schools, magazines, and partnerships and more.

Cassie Chadderton, CEO, World Book Day said, ‘Encouraging children to love reading for pleasure is our charity’s mission. It’s vital we reach more children than ever, so that every child can benefit from the improved life chances that reading for pleasure brings.

‘We are thrilled to announce an exciting list of £1 book authors for 2024. We are confident that these fun and inspirational books will spark children’s interest in discovering more books and reading for pleasure!’

World Book Day’s 2024 £1 /€1.50 books are:

Picture Books

Greg the Sausage Roll: Lunchbox Superhero by Mark and Roxanne Hoyle (aka Ladbaby), illustrated by Gareth Conway, published by Puffin

‘Social media phenomenon’ LadBaby have created this laugh-a-minute mini picture book adventure especially for World Book Day 2024.

Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David McKee, published by Andersen Press

Charlie McGrew and the Horse That He Drew by Rob Biddulph, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
Early readers

InvestiGators: High Rise Hijinks written by John Patrick Green, with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis, published by Macmillan Children’s Books

Marv and the Ultimate Superpower by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles and published by Oxford University Press

Dinosaur Club: On the Trail of the T.rex by Rex Stone (Jane Clarke), illustrated by Louise Forshaw, published by DK

Fluent readers

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Friend Mission by Rosie Jones, illustrated by Natalie Smillie, published by Hachette Children’s Group

Onyeka and the Secret Superhero by Tọlá Okogwu, published by Simon & Schuster

Loki: Tales of a Bad God by Louie Stowell, published by Walker

Can You Get Jellyfish in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay, published by Puffin

Older readers

Creepy Creations by Jennifer Killick, published by Farshore

The Doomsday Date by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, published by Usborne

Ireland

Inis Mara by Tristan Rosenstock, illustrated by Mark Wickham and published by LeabhairCOMHAR

The Curious Case of the Irish Yeti: Molly Malone and Bram Stoker by Alan Nolan, illustrated by Shane Cluskey and published by The O’Brien Press

Wales

The new Welsh-language £1 World Book Day book for the 2024 campaign will be announced in November 2023.