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Quiz for World Book Day 2021 European Council

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Quiz for World Book Day 2021 European Council

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Friday 23 April marks World Book Day. Do you want to use the occasion to broaden your horizon with literature from all over Europe? Do you want to have fun while picking your book? Then the Council Library may have something for you!

Many of our Council trainees have selected a colourful mixture of books that will help your mind wander through both space and time. You might want to read about a medieval noblewoman defying the wishes of her family and going her own way. Or maybe you could read about bustling turn-of-the-century Paris. Or perhaps the peaceful countryside is more to your taste (with a hint of backstabbing intrigue, of course). You could even experience adventures on the sea.

The trainees have suggested books from every member state, which cover a wide timespan from the Middle Ages until well into the new millennium. They portray the social and political developments in Europe. Some are funny, some are sweetly melancholic, but all are worth a read.

To make your choice a bit easier, the trainees have also created a fun, short quiz with questions about your next read. Based on your results, you will be given a choice of three books to pick from.
By clicking on this link, you will be leaving the consilium.europa.eu website. The General Secretariat of the Council bears no responsibility for websites it does not manage.
Staff of the Council can borrow many of the recommendations via our online catalogue Eureka.

About World Book Day

The World Book and Copyright Day was established by the United Nations in 1995 to promote the pleasure of reading and remind us of authors who have contributed to the worldʼs literature. They have hugely enhanced the social and cultural progress of humanity.

Its date, the 23rd of April, was chosen for its great symbolic value. Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died on this date in the year 1616. Many other authors were born or died on the same date, including Henry Vaughan, Vladimir Nabokov and Maurice Druon.

This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.

The Council library reading room is currently closed. The Info Desk remains open online and will reply to queries by email from Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 16.00.

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Friday 23 April marks World Book Day. Do you want to use the occasion to broaden your horizon with literature from all over Europe? Do you want to have fun while picking your book? Then the Council Library may have something for you!

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May was Share a story month! (Surely a good thing any month):

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May was Share a story month! (Surely a good thing any month):

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https://www.worldbookday.com/2020/05/did-you-know-may-is-national-share-a-story-month/

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Hello World!

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Article on comics...for a world comic day

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World Book Day has come and gone again, leaving a trail of happy children and quietly harried parents in its wake. Last-minute outfits cobbled together to transform young ones into The Little Prince, Hermione Granger or, perhaps, Supergirl. A tired dad interrogates the linen cupboard on behalf of his 10-year-old son, considers whether a red tablecloth can pass for a cape, and wonders: does a comic book even count?

Of course it does. The turbulence surrounding the legitimacy of comic books as literature - or even, dare I say, books - is more akin to a tempest in a teapot than any real disturbance. It's a postmodern world: high culture is low; low culture is high - and everything counts. World Book Day is meant to inspire reading of all kinds to all sorts, and comics certainly qualify.

But let's take it further than qualification. Let's consider that comics are not a form of literature to simply be allowed or counted, but instead cultivated, promoted and encouraged, especially among young people.

A recent study published in the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics suggests that the comic form may be superior to plain text as an educational tool. Conducted by the department of psychology, sociology and politics at Sheffield Hallam University, it tested the memory of 90 adults using comics and plain text as competing methods to teach undergraduate-level biopsychology. Subjects who learned material in comic form were found to have significantly higher memory scores, tentatively affirming the " dual coding theory " - a model proposing that presentation of material in both visual and verbal formats would improve memory and comprehension.

While this is a preliminary study, and sweeping conclusions ought not be drawn from it, its results are both intuitive in the context of dual coding, and promising, considering their potential scale. It suggests that comics may be a potential pedagogical tool even into early adulthood. Not only do comic books "count" - there may be a distant future where they supplant prose in the classroom. For anyone already interested in comics, this could be some exciting news. That young boy in his Supergirl costume may be ahead of the curve. Biff! Bam! Pow! Comics aren't just for leisure anymore.

Still: while books (comic or otherwise) have immense value as teaching tools, their ultimate value is not in what we can use them for, but what they mean to us. Rhetoric about whether comics "count" in any context tends to miss the true value of these texts and their ability to get an eight-year-old excited enough to want to put on fancy dress. Their staying power is not a matter of either usefulness or rigour. It doesn't really matter that comics are a teaching tool: for people across the globe, they offer rich experiences and new ways of looking at things.

For children especially, they can provide concrete glimpses into realities otherwise seen in daydreams. In an increasingly difficult world, a medium that can bend and break all the universe's limits and rules serves as a much needed balm in some cases, and a push for justice in others.

All in all, the strengths of a comic and the strengths of World Book Day exist in their celebrations of potential. A great many things exist in a comic or exist in prose that cannot exist elsewhere. They cultivate imagination, creating things and spaces that can't or don't exist in the real world. Millions of children across the UK and Ireland are given access to these possibilities through the event, some for the very first time.

World Book Day continues to grow and, if this recent study is any indication, a great comics sea-change is coming. But in the meantime, what should parents - especially those caught in the disapproving gaze of an unconvinced schoolteacher - do? You can show them the study, certainly. But as the tide turns and comics' place in our zeitgeist continues to expand, parents can do what they've already been doing: encouraging their children as best they can while turning the house upside-down for the perfect tablecloth-cape.
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Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's Classroom Hero: why World Comic Book Day is next| JA Micheline

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World Book Day has come and gone again, leaving a trail of happy children and quietly harried parents in its wake. Last-minute outfits cobbled together to transform young ones into The Little Prince, Hermione Granger or, perhaps, Supergirl.

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http://www.worldbookday.com/storytime-online/

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selected by Kathleen Del Rosario Manuel, Kathy (Philippines)

Brilliant yet simple ideas to encourage learners to pick up a book everyday

(1) No sewing required to make book character costumes

http://www.theschoolrun.com/no-sew-costumes-world-book-day

(2) new ideas to educate the youngest learners

https://www.clpe.org.uk/library-and-resources/useful-resources/world-book-day-2016-teaching-ideas-eyfs-ks1-and-ks2

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For our younger learners...

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Thursday's article about one parent's struggle to get ready for World Book Day prompted many people to recount their own experiences.

Some of them share Dominic Casciani's worries about the event. Other have a sunnier view of the whole affair. Here's a selection of some of their emails (and photographs).

This is picking at an open wound as far as I'm concerned - just spent £26 on a Fantastic Mr Fox outfit that didn't have a tail, so additional £8 for tail for a one-day school event. No, don't get me started. Never mind the WWII-style evacuee dress we've also just had to buy for the class assembly - I remember going to school wrapped in an old dust sheet to be a shepherd. Graham, Westhoughton

My daughter is in reception, so this is the first year we have experienced this. Rather unhelpfully, the school only told us six days before the event that the children were expected to dress up. Like most girls her age my daughter declared she was going as a Disney princess. I argued they were movie characters, but she does have some of the books of the films. I put my foot down and dressed her as Katie Morag (kilt/wellies/jumper). Every other girl in the class turned up in a sea of pastel-coloured nylon. My daughter was bereft. I have to hope she cheers up come playtime, when all the girls in silly princess dresses can't play outside in the mud. Jen, North Yorkshire

Pongo on a budget - total cost 60p!
Justin, Northumberland

My step-children went to primary school near Liverpool. On WBD a few years ago, 90% of the pupils turned up in their Liverpool kit. Apparently Steven Gerrard had written an autobiography. Amy, Shropshire

We turned this into a great weekend activity. Our four-year-old son wanted to go as a character from 101 Dalmatians, his favourite book at the moment, so we spent a couple of hours on Sunday putting black spots with a marker pen on an old t-shirt, making a set of ears, my wife sewn a dog collar and name tag onto the t-shirt, the application of some face paint and his sister's black-and-white-spotted pyjama bottoms this morning and the look was complete. Pongo on a budget - total cost about 60p! Justin, Northumberland

Pupils at our daughter's school were given the option to either dress up as a book character or to come to school dressed in pyjamas and bring a favourite book. The majority of the children - including our daughter - opted for the pyjamas, which made our morning routine quite enjoyable and the walk to school most interesting. This may also reinforce the idea of reading before bedtime as entertaining and relaxing, in addition to saving the family both resources and frustrations. Martine, Aberdeen

There was a mad panic last night as my daughter couldn't find her fairy costume (fair enough, she reads fairy books). My son soon joined in about a pirate costume. "Who are you going as?" I asked.

"Long John Silver's mate," he replied.

"But you've never read Treasure Island."

"No but my mate Shane has, and he's going as Long John Silver". Jim, Fife

The internet and films have much to answer for - no longer is it possible in our household to imagine what a character looks like, my nine-year-old daughter goes straight online and then refuses any suggestion that doesn't make her look exactly like what she finds. I've tried to stop her but it's not worth the battle. Several vetoed suggestions later (Dorothy - no red shoes, Hermione - wrong hair, Susan from Narnia - no chainmail), she is going as Zorro (she's a fencer so has the sword) with an old black hat, black clothes and boots she already has and a mask and cape made from an old piece of black material. Relieved Mum and happy daughter! Juliet, Edinburgh

As a member of staff at a school currently enjoying WBD I've had no end of trouble trying to think of a costume for myself. I don't have the spare money or childish interest to buy something new so have spent days thinking about books I'd read with nondescript characters. Luckily I remembered I had an old Dr Evil costume that can double as Dr No by wearing gloves. And whilst I've made an effort, most of the children have used it as an excuse to just come in non-uniform as "Joey Essex" or another of their latest heroes. Ash, Swadlincote

Last year schools raised £76,000 on WBD, which paid for shipping 38,000 new books, donated by UK publishers, to sub-Saharan Africa
Diana, Of Book Aid International

My son is 10 years old. he decided to go as Gangsta Granny (from the David Walliams book) complete with wrinkles, glasses, a DRESS and a HANDBAG. I think it's very brave for a child who has become very conscious about his appearance and concerned about what others will say and think. So I applaud WBD and David Walliams for allowing my son to forget all the self-conscious fears of being 10 and to enjoy getting lost in books. Emma, Cheshire

I've got a son aged 10 and and a daughter aged six. One is going dressed as Rapunzel, complete with long blond wig and princess dress. Heaven knows what my daughter is going dressed as... Keith, Liverpool

After last year's Hungry Caterpillar debacle, I wrote a book about my daughter going to school and sent her in her uniform with it. Easy! Jonny, Belfast

Now, this is just being provocative. I'm a community ambassador for Book Aid International which benefits hugely from the money that children pay for the opportunity to dress up on World Book Day. Last year schools raised £76,000, which paid for shipping 38,000 new and appropriate books, donated by UK publishers, to sub-Saharan Africa. What does it matter whether the characters that children choose are from comic books or from reading books? The children love dressing-up, and the money helps to send good books to libraries where books are scarce and therefore very precious indeed. Diana, Southampton

Tom from Beast Quest

Our son decided that he wanted to go dressed as Tom from the popular Beast Quest series. Cardboard, sticky tape and some crayons. Oh and don't forget the tin foil. Proper Blue Peter special. Why waste money buying when you can all have fun making it? John, Herts

My nine-year-old son left this morning dressed as TE Lawrence. I was very pleased. Huband, Oxfordshire

Our son decided that he wanted to go dressed as Tom from the popular Beast Quest series. So you need a shield, complete with the tokens, a sword, a tunic etc. Cardboard, sticky tape and some crayons. Oh and don't forget the tin foil. Proper Blue Peter special. We all joined in and made everything. Why waste money buying when you can all have fun making it? John, Herts

I remember years ago, my younger son wanted to go as an Uruk-hai from Lord Of The Rings. He had indeed read the book, but the film had just come out and these creatures sparked his imagination. I spent many hours constructing his costume out of pieces of leather, making papier mache armour and so on. Unfortunately, my uncle died that week and on the great day, I was obliged to get up early, dress my son, apply the "white hand" face make-up, then drive 70 miles to make it for a 9am funeral. I was, however, gratified that my son's classmates voted his costume the best. That was well over 12 years ago. I somehow miss that opportunity for creativity. Jenny, Djibouti

Last year my daughter went as Ottoline (fantastic books, but only three published). I bought a blazer and trimmed it with white piping and a school badge. We had the funky tights and odd shoes, a boater hat with corresponding ribbon and we even did plaits with odd funky ribbons. She looked amazing and it was all handmade. All the other kids thought it was cool and the mums all asked if I could help them next year, but did she even get a mention in the school assembly let alone the prize? No chance, it went to a shop-bought last-minute job. I personally teach my kids that it doesn't matter if they win the competition, and to just enjoy the day, but I felt that if I didn't put everything I had into the costumes I would be letting them down. Emma, London

I have four children and on WBD will be the mother of a ninja meerkat, a rescue princess, Alex Rider and Muncle Trogg (don't ask). To create these costumes while managing children through their learning logs, supplying recycled items with which to construct a robot and get everyone to school on wheels without injury for Bike to School Week is not a walk in the park. Teachers: for homework, please read this BBC news article and digest. Sam, Beds

For weeks now I have been arguing with myself that my son's insistence of going dressed as Buzz Lightyear is just "not right". I have been feeling as though the other mums will be looking at me and my little boy dressed as a superhero. But now I know I am not alone. I tried to persuade him to go as a magician from a new book I bought him the other in am attempt to steer him away from Buzz Lightyear - no such luck. Buzz it is. We have managed to find a Toy Story annual to back up his choice - not exactly Roald Dahl though, is it? I am so happy to have found this article - I am not a bad mum. Nicola, Beds

The green body paint dyed his skin and took nearly a week to fade

My eight-year-old son and I went through a similar process as the author. Eventually he decided to go as Mr Twit from the Roald Dahl book because I said it meant he could be rude to his teachers. Thom, Beds

We did The Incredible Hulk when my son was six or seven - two or three pots of green and black body paint later, he really looked the part. Straight into the bath when he came home, which is when we hit the problem - the green body paint dyed his skin (nearly a week to fade away) and the black stuff on his hair flecked off and attached itself more or less permanently to the bath. Never again. F Campbell, Doncaster

I run a fancy dress shop and World Book Day just about keeps us afloat between Halloweens. It is the biggest dressing up event after 31 October. We put in hours of overtime to get items out to people on time. I do see parents absolutely frantic for costumes because often it's not clear whether a class will be dressing up until quite close to the date. My biggest piece of advice is get something to make a Dahl character because Roald Dahl Day in September is on the rise and also requires dressing up for. Caroline, Towcester

Back in the day when primary schools were less politically correct, my little brother found a book about the Soviet Union on the bookshelf in our home. With book week fast approaching, it was clear to him what he must dress up as. At the school assembly, all the children who had dressed up got to stand at the front, one class at a time, and tell the school who they had dressed up as. Much to the amusement of the parents and teachers, my brother proudly announced to the school: "I am Josef Stalin, an evil dictator." Emily, Queensland
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Thursday's article about one parent's struggle to get ready for World Book Day prompted many people to recount their own experiences. Some of them share Dominic Casciani's worries about the event. Other have a sunnier view of the whole affair. Here's a selection of some of their emails (and photographs).