IN PICTURES: World Book Day in Richmond and Wandsworth

World Book Day is an annual event organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copyright and was first established in 1995.

Bookworms from Twickenham School, The Richmond upon Thames School and Falcons School in Putney donned costumes of their favourite fictional characters to celebrate the joy of reading.

Alana Stewart, co-ordinator of the World Book Day celebrations at Twickenham school, said: “We’ve been really excited to bring characters to life today and promote the love of reading with our students.

“The variety of costumes has been incredibly surprising, and the conversations around reading have been pleasing to hear.”

Niamh Burke, Year 9, who dressed as Jack Sparrow, said: “I have read the books recently and took time to make my costume.

“I love all the different events going on for World Book Day at school. I’m participating in a ‘readathon’ with my friends, and the winner gets a prize. As someone who loves reading, it’s fantastic.”

Pupils at Falcons School started the week with a visit from children’s author and illustrator, Bryony Thomson.

Bryony, known for her book ‘The Wardrobe Monster’, read out her story to the pupils before helping them to draw the school’s own ‘Falcons Monster’ – ‘Mrs Bear’.

Throughout the week, pupils participated in the national Book Token Design Competition, themed ‘Share a Story’, for which they submitted their best masterpieces for consideration.

Headmistress at Falcons School for Girls, Sara Williams-Ryan commented: “The children have had a thoroughly enjoyable week and it is inspiring to see them so passionate about books.

“At Falcons School for Girls, we provide our pupils with a number of opportunities to develop a love of reading. One such initiative is our Year 6 pupils regularly reading with our Reception pupils.

"I believe that by encouraging our pupils to delve into a good book and nurturing that passion, we are able to enhance their learning in a fun environment and help to broaden their vocabulary.”

Students at The Richmond upon Thames School were joined by Tim Godfray. He spoke to the students in a whole-school morning assembly in which he explained how the now famous day began and emphasised the importance of reading for academic success and happiness in general.

He was joined by Adam Hewson, a bookseller from Kew Bookshop. Zara in Year 7 said: "I loved the teachers' costumes - they were so cool. And we did a CSI activity in science where we had to solve the crime of who stole the Queen of Hearts jam tarts. It was really fun."

Here are some of the best pictures from World Book Day:

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Students and teachers at Twickenham School donned their best outfits on World Book Day. © Tom Barnes.

Pupils at Falcon's School, Putney.

Staff at Falcon's School, Putney.

Tim Godfray speaking to students at The Richmond upon Thames School.

Tim Godfray speaking to students at The Richmond upon Thames School.

Tim Godfrat with staff at The Richmond upon Thames School.