World Book Day 2026

I have something potentially controversial to admit (but it’s okay because we’re all friends here, right?), but I dread when World Book Day rolls around. It always falls so awkwardly for me, and there’s always so much to do in our house.

This year though, was quite an exceptional year, as we ran the gauntlet of WBD variables as parents. One son wanted a Spider-Man costume (I confirmed with him several times), so I bought one from Amazon. He was beyond delighted. He has been jumping around between our furniture excitedly shouting ‘WEB!’ for days. As it turns out, he and a group of friends had all decided to go as Spider-Man together, so they could work together in the playground to solve crimes. So when I dropped him off this morning, they all squealed as four Spider-Man ran towards each other. It was adorable.

It might not surprise those who know me or my career trajectory, that I am not a “World Book Day pureist” who thinks that the only dress-up costumes that are suitable are those from literary works. I personally have written or edited at least a dozen or so Spider-Man books over my career, and he’s a comic book character, so it’s totally legit.

One year, my eldest wanted to go as his favourite comet, as he is the sort of delightful soul who has such a thing – Bernardinelli Bernstein comet. And it was in one of his encyclopaedias of space, so that was an easy win there, although not such a win for me time-wise when I had to hand embroider a comet jumper.

My eldest surpassed himself this year though, as he does often. When I first asked him which character he’d like to go as, he originally said Skunky from Bunny v Monkey. So I planned the costume, until he piped up one evening.

“Why should I go as another person’s character for World Book Day, when I can make my own character?” he mused.

“It’s supposed to be a character in a book though. Are you going to write your own book?” I answered, flippantly.

“Yes. Will you help me?” he asked.

Obviously. Of course I will. What have I been developing all these editorial skills for all these years if not for this very moment?

And so, in that moment, our relationship developed a new dynamic. No longer was I simply his mum, but I was also his editor and project manager.

“Can I ask you for your professional advice, Mum?” he asked as I read what he’d written.

“Of course,” I responded, as I offered some structural plot advice.

“No,” he replied as he did his own thing.

Why ask me then, I wondered as I stepped out of the room to take some deep breaths. Nothing is more humbling than your own child’s biting commentary.

I kept him on schedule so he could have a finished book by World Book Day, and I had to push particularly hard for him to draw the character’s costume he wanted to wear so I could make it in time. On the Monday, three days before publication day, he left for school saying that he hoped he’d return home to me having made his cape.

It was intense. It was time heavy, but it was a great way for he and I to spend some time together, working towards something we both love. And here is the result of all our hard work.

The author and illustrator of Supersonic Kid Unleashed!

The final thing he asked me to do was publish this for him, so he can officially be an author and illustrator. So, I promised him that I would put the book on my website.

So, please read and enjoy his first book: Supersonic Kid Unleashed.