BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE BIGGEST BOOK SHOW ON EARTH!

- World Book Day’s online children’s literary festival returns on 7th March

- TV’s Tony Robinson to host 2013 event

- Picturehouse to screen in cinemas across the UK for schools

A show-stopping line-up of authors and illustrators will be beamed live to the world’s homes, schools, bookshops and libraries when The Biggest Book Show on Earthreturns for World Book Day 2013 on 7thMarch.

The event, to be hosted by renowned children’s writer and TV presenter Tony Robinson, will see a stellar line-up of bestselling authors and illustrators join the UK’s original online live-streamed festival celebrating books and reading for youngsters.

Broadcast live from the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, it will include Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon showing how to bring characters to life and ‘grand dame’ of children’s literature Shirley Hughes explaining how to use illustrations.

Also taking to the stage to offer their insightsto children to help them improve their writing will be Lauren Child (Ruby Redfort),Liz Pichon (Tom Gates), Cathy Cassidy (The Chocolate Box Girls) and Anthony Horowitz (Diamond Brothers), while illustrators Rachel Bright and Guy Parker-Rees will demonstrate how to draw characters and book covers.

For the first time, The Biggest Book Show On Earth will also be broadcast live into various cinemas around the UK, including twenty Picturehouse Cinemas, ten Cineworld and seven independent cinemas.  Attending schools will be able to enjoy exclusive extras including a reading by Francesca Simon of an extract from her forthcoming book Horrid Henry’s Nightmare,a Q&A with the authors from the Show and book prizes for pupils who come dressed up as their favourite characters.

Taking part couldn’t be easier – simply visit www.worldbookday.com to register for FREE and check your technical set-up before the big day. Children from all over the world can watch online while parents, teachers and librarians are able to download resources and ideas to help young audiences join in the fun and read along.

Schools parties wishing to attend a Picturehouse Cinemas screening can visit www.picturehouses.co.uk. Tickets are £2.50 per pupil, with accompanying adults going free.

The Show will air live over the internet from11am to midday on 7th March, and be available to watch on-demand via the website from the following day.

Kirsten Grant, Director of World Book Day, said: "We are very excited about the fantastic bill for this year’s event. The Biggest Book Show on Earth is a great way of introducing children all over the world to the country’s best authors and illustrators. We can't wait to spark the imaginations of millions of children!"

Marc Allenby, Head of Commercial Development at Picturehouse, said: “We are delighted to bring World Book Day to cinemas up and down the country. Engaging with local schools and the community is key for our cinemas. Picturehouse Cinemas have been pioneers in Alternative Content, with literary events such as the Man Booker Prize event and the live Stephen Fry reading among recent events.”

Half a million children from more than 75 countries logged on to watch the Show in 2012, which this year is just one of a number of events and activities in schools, bookshops and libraries set to excite youngsters about books and reading for World Book Day 2013.

Eight new books including titles by performers from this year’s Biggest Book Show on Earth line-up can be exchanged for free with a special £1 World Book Day Book Token being handed out in schools and nurseries this month. And by downloading the World Book Day‘Books Alive’ app to a smartphone, children can watch their £1 Book Tokens and £1 books come to life through augmented reality technology.

Older readers can meanwhile join The Word Herd, a new scheme encouraging teens to share their passion for reading with their peers. They will also be able to access exclusive new digital-only content from popular teen writers including Patrick Ness, Dawn O’ Porter and Alex Scarrow via a brand new app for iOS and Android, powered by teen social reading and writing community, Movellas.

Visit www.worldbookday.com for more information, the latest news and to subscribe to the free monthly World Book Day e-newsletter.