Spending just 10 minutes a day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their future success and it’s fun for all involved. Thanks for sharing this with us, Herbie. Lily and the fell runners from Armistice Runner “Lily” from Newlands School

There were 25 guys all silent, looking at the big screen in front of us,’ he wrote. ‘Suddenly, starting with the goalkeepers and featuring every single player in the team, our families and friends were sending us a message of courage and passion that we would never forget. Growing confidence and ability. Reflect and respond to reading. Interest in range of reading material e.g. information texts, poetry and picture books. Tom Percival will also attend an event in Swindon and read from his book, ‘Billy’s Bravery’ to primary years.​ The special event highlighted how sports and reading are imperative to a child’s development, particularly when encouraged at an early age. Beth Mead, commented: “I know how important it is to get kids reading and active from an early age. More and more we are hearing about how parents are having to make difficult choices when it comes to where they spend their money. We want to ensure every child can easily access both free books and free football coaching through McDonald’s long running Happy Readers and Fun Football programmes.

Ready, set, write! On the pitch with Football School

It provides a fantastic opportunity to focus on reading for pleasure, supporting children's autonomy in book choice, and embedding a habit of reading that brings a wide range of benefits." Meanwhile, Mata takes us right into the heart of the preparations for the Champions League final in Munich in his 2019 autobiography Suddenly A Footballer.

To help you celebrate World Book Day, I’ve recorded a free virtual film for assembly/class for schools to show on the day. Filmed from Anne Frank’s Haus, Amsterdam, I’ll be sharing why her diary is one of my all-time favourite books. Watch below or in YouTube… We use an approach to reading scales, developed by CLPE, that recognises that reading for pleasure develops at different times for all children – and that children less engaged in reading are likely to have a reading level lower than their chronological age. Today marks the annual event of World Book Day, on which literature is celebrated and reading promoted across all age groups and genres. Over the years, there have been some terrific Chelsea books published, lifting the lid on life behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge and providing a unique player insight into the world of a professional footballer. The panel – which consists of Governors, Chair of the PTA and a bemused local author, drafted in at the last moment to add some pizazz – are clearly impressed by the efforts made and are busily making notes as each class passes by. I’ve managed to cobble together this outfit from my daughter’s old school uniform, a few safety pins, a borrowed blazer from one of the larger boys at school, and a rather fetching hairpiece from my sister who is into amateur dramatics.Hazel Tree Farm: One Stormy Night, Alma Jordan, Margaret Anne Suggs, The O'Brien Press (IRELAND ONLY)