Readers's pics: Literary characters come to life

Twins Lilia and Layla Saad, four, and three-year-old sister Ava (centre) as Oompa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Children as young as five weeks old got in on the fun as youngsters dressed up as their favourite literary characters for the 19th year running.

Schools in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring and the villages were among the thousands across the globe that used the day to highlight the importance of reading.

The day, which was first set up by the World Book Day charity in 1997, is a celebration of authors, illustrators and publishers.

Malayah Goode, four, as Cinderella PNL-160403-153435001

As well as getting the chance to dress up, the children were also given book tokens so they could choose one of ten £1 books released especially for the day.

The World Book Day website said: “It’s all about getting kids closer to the books and authors they already love, and letting them discover more books and authors they’ll love every bit as much in the future.”