Join in with the fun for World Book Day this year with a popular Hitchin author!

World Book Day changes lives through a love of books and shared reading with its mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.

To mark the day, Hertfordshire Libraries have some great children's authors virtual events including with Hitchin's very own Danny Pearson.

Renowned author Danny, who writes for the world famous Beano comic, is hosting a free online event for families, at 430pm on Wednesday.

Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents' educational background or their income.

World Book Day aims for more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.

Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.