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Celebrating Inclusion and Neurodiversity on World Book Day
We believe World Book Day is more than just a celebration of literature—it’s an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusion and neurodiversity. By ensuring every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they read, we foster a sense of belonging and understanding in our school community.
Our World Book Day Plan
The day begins with a welcome assembly, setting the theme with a reading from All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann. This beautifully illustrated book highlights the strengths and uniqueness of neurodivergent individuals, helping children develop empathy and understanding.
Following this, engaging writing workshops will take place across all year groups, encouraging pupils to explore themes of friendship, individuality and advocacy. EYFS pupils will participate in picture caption writing based on illustrations from All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum, helping them express the unique qualities of the cats. KS1 children will write acrostic poems inspired by A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey, a touching story about a young autistic boy navigating friendships. Lower KS2 pupils will craft poems about what makes them unique, drawing inspiration from The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter, a story about a boy with a stammer who dreams of becoming a comedian. Meanwhile, Upper KS2 will take part in persuasive writing, composing letters to the school council inspired by A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, a powerful novel about an autistic girl campaigning for change in her community.
Mid-morning, children will collaborate on a 'Neurodiversity Tree' mural, each adding their own leaf or branch to represent personal strengths or lessons learned from the day. This visual representation of inclusivity and diversity will serve as a lasting reminder of the importance of embracing differences.
A mindful reading session will follow, where pupils will immerse themselves in books featuring neurodivergent protagonists. In a calm and cozy environment, children will read books such as Planet Omar by Zanib Mian and The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Soft mindfulness music will play in the background, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and reflection, encouraging pupils to consider how characters overcome challenges and celebrate their unique perspectives.
The afternoon focuses on inclusive storytelling and creative workshops tailored to different age groups. Younger children will explore books through sensory storytelling, puppetry, and collaborative art activities, deepening their understanding of diverse experiences. KS1 pupils will take part in a ‘Puzzle of Uniqueness’ activity, where each child decorates a puzzle piece representing their individuality, inspired by A Friend for Henry. Once assembled, the class puzzle will symbolise unity in diversity.
KS2 pupils will create neurodiversity-themed comic strips, designing stories where neurodivergent characters are the heroes, inspired by Planet Omar. They will brainstorm ideas such as sensory-friendly spaces, peer mentoring, or inclusive activities that promote understanding and support within the school.
This World Book Day, we are not just celebrating books—we are celebrating the stories within each of us and the diverse perspectives that make our community special. Through storytelling, creativity, and reflection, we hope to inspire our pupils to embrace and appreciate the richness of neurodiversity in their everyday lives.
With many thanks to Aimee Hollingworth for writing this article.
Aimee is a Year 6 teacher and a member of the EuHu Teacher Board.
