World Book Day is nearly upon us and parents will be starting to think about costumes and outfits.

The annual celebration of literature, when people of all ages come together to share their love of books and reading will take place on Thursday, March 5.

It will see children and adults across the globe taking part in different book related events and activities.

The National Literacy Trust is supporting the initiative, and this year’s theme is "share a million stories".

National Book Tokens will be distributing more than 15 million £1 World Book Day tokens to children and young people, to encourage them to get stuck into a book.

Where are the tokens being distributed?

The £1 book tokens will be distributed in schools and nurseries across the UK and Ireland, to children and young people under 18.

How do the vouchers work?

When you receive your book token, you need to take it to your local bookseller and swap it for one of 15 new and completely free World Book Day books. This year's £1 books include Bing's Splashy Story, Amelia Fang, and the Bookworm Gang and Kid Normal.

These books are also available in braille, large print and audio via Guide Dogs and RNIB.

Or, if you’d prefer, you can use your book token to get £1 off any full price book instead. You can also use your token to purchase an audiobook, as long as it costs at least £2.99.

How long are the tokens available?

The World Book Day book tokens are valid from Thursday 27 February until Sunday 29 March 2020.

The aim of this initiative is to ensure every child can have the joy of owning a book. One in four pupils (25.2 per cent) say that the book they exchanged for their 2016 World Book Day book token was the first book they could call their own.