In Pictures / World Book Day 2026 gallery

5 March 2026 16:45

THANKS to everyone who has sent in photos of World Book Day costumes today.

The premise behind World Book Day is fairly simple – to inspire “every child to enjoy the life-changing benefits of reading for fun”.

But bairns are also encouraged to dress up as a book character at school and nursery – and going by these photos, they have done a pretty good job at it too.

Thanks to Dione Paul for this roar-some photo of Leighton (3) with a copy of the classic children’s story The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Pupils and staff at Mossbank Primary School got in on the World Book Day fun.

Caroline Thomson sent in this photo of her ten year old son Brodie, who dressed up as Dogman for school today.

Dressed as Harry Potter is Preston Macgregor (7), with Mimi Macgregor (4) dressing up as Rosie from Paper Dolls and Logan Macgregor (3) for the Gruffalo.

Cara Thomson, age 6, dressed as Little Miss Goatee from Love From Shetland and their books.

This is Jimmy Manson-Brodie dressed as the Cat in the Hat for World Book Day.

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Annie Jamieson, age 4, is all smiles before heading to nursery this morning.

Lucy-Jo (6) and Danielle (4) Thomson getting dressed up for World Book Day.

Nora Macgregor as Alice in Wonderland and Ellis Macgregor as Tiddler.

Catherine, team leader at the Shetland Library, age 40+ and “testing everyone’s imagination” with her t-shirt. She says World Book Day isn’t just about the costumes, but about reinforcing the idea that reading is fun. “Developing a reading habit early will not only improve your bairn’s literacy and future attainment but it also increases their social and emotional awareness,” she said.

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