THERE were Harry Potters, Gruffalos, Mad Hatters and Alices and many more at this year’s World Book Day. 

Schools across Teignbridge joined in the annual event which encourages youngsters to read and celebrates reading for pleasure.

Children from All Saints Marsh C of E Academy marked the day in style with a visit to Newton Abbot Library. 

Dressed as their favourite and inspirational characters, the children enjoyed a story being read to them by staff at the library.

They had a tour and took part in book inspired arts and crafts.  

Each child took home a book voucher enabling them to choose from a wonderful selection of books that will spark children’s interest from their local bookshop. 

Headteacher Liam O’Sullivan said: ‘There was a wonderful buzz around the school as the children came in and admired each other’s World Book Day outfits. 

‘Laughter filled the classrooms as they tried to guess who their friends were, and children enjoyed sharing their favourite stories with each other. 

‘We then shared our love of reading with Newton Abbot Library, where the children enjoyed creating their own settings from books, designing their own bookmarks, sharing a story and completing a scavenger hunt using story characters as clues.

‘The children came back inspired, keen to explore new books and some even starting their own stories.’

At Moretonhampstead School, staff and pupils dressed up as characters from their favourite books.  

The day started with a parade of costumes where the best costume from a boy and girl in each year group was awarded a certificate.

Through the rest of the day, children got involved in world book day quizzes, read book extracts, made bookmarks and carried out some cross school reading where the KS2 pupils read to and listened to the KS1 pupils read. 

The day finished with an after school World Book Day disco where lots of literacy characters were seen dancing.