Masons, the craft and fabric shop, decorated their window three weeks ago with a mermaid rising from a sea of children’s books. They have animal character headbands on sale, and material out of which creative people could make favourite book characters.

At Oxfam, a dress made from the sewn pages of a book stands in the window, alongside a display of books.

World Book Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in March each year. World Book Day was set up in 1995 to encourage children to discover the pleasure of reading. The book shops will have books available for just £1.

Schools taking part in Book Day will have celebrations to promote a love for reading.

And beyond the animal headbands and mermaids, there are plenty of books waiting for grown-up readers too.

The launch of The Radley Lakes Story took place at Unit 24 in Bury Street this evening (12/3/2025).

All six authors, the two editors, and other contributors were there to celebrate the book’s release. Roger Thomas, joint editor, together with the Chair of the Radley Lakes Trust, introduced the book. It tells the story of how Radley Lakes near Abingdon was transformed from gravel pits into a wildlife haven.

A key section of the book focuses on the “Save Radley Lakes” campaign from 2005 to 2008, when local residents fought to stop two lakes from being filled with coal ash from Didcot A Power Station. The campaign succeeded, and RWE npower, the site’s owners, gave the lakes to a wildlife trust to protect them. Today, Radley Lakes is a place where people can enjoy nature and peaceful walks.

The book is beautifully produced and illustrated and covers the area’s history, the “Save Radley Lakes” campaign (told by Marjorie White), and includes chapters on the plants and animals found at the lakes (co-written by David Guyoncourt).

The book is dedicated to Basil Crowley, who led the “Save Radley Lakes” campaign. Proceeds from sales will go to the Radley Lakes Trust, which supports the site, now cared for by The Earth Trust. Copies are available at Abingdon bookshops and the Abingdon Museum.

Mostly Books put out the blackboard a few weeks ago to say they were welcoming one of the UKs most celebrated and loved authors, Kate Atkinson. The audience was at Trinity Church, Abingdon.

Tickets sold out quickly.

Kate Atkinson was there to read from her new Jackson Brodie novel, Death at the Sign of the Rook, and answer questions from Aileen from the Mostly Books team, and wide ranging questions from members of the audience.

Kate’s hand injury meant she could only sign books using a stamp, but she compensated with friendly chats that made each fan’s visit memorable.