From dressing up as favourite characters to taking part in a parade and reading, Redbridge pupils were full of ideas to celebrate World Book Day.

Schools marked the event on Thursday with a selection of activities that emphasised the importance of reading and how much fun books can be.

Click on the link to the right for all our pics from the day.

World Book Day is a celebration of stories, authors, illustrators and reading that is now in its 17th year.

Pupils at Gordon Infants’ School in Golfe Road, Ilford, had a “great time” dressing up to celebrate with each year group assigned a different theme for their costumes.

Deputy headteacher Helen French said: “All the staff dressed up as book or nursery rhyme characters to celebrate our love of reading. A great time was had by all.”

Parents were also invited to come to the school and read to children.

Literacy co-ordinator Catherine Partridge said: “World Book Day promotes the love of reading for both learning and enjoyment.”

There was lots of fun at John Bramston Primary School, Newcastle Avenue, Hainault.

A class swap around involved older children reading to younger ones.

The classes paid a visit to their local library and took part in “drop everything and read”, which involved teachers telling them to stop everything and read their books at random points throughout the day.

Mayespark Primary School in Goodmayes Lane, Goodmayes, had a fancy dress competition and pupils responded with junior versions of Wally of Where’s Wally? fame and Sleeping Beauty among many other fictional characters.

There was a catwalk and during an assembly two children from each class whose costumes had been voted the best walked along it.

The winners were given book vouchers and there was also a “buddy system” which involved older classes meeting younger ones.

Children were asked to think about the importance of imagining their surroundings at Fairlop Primary School in Colvin Gardens, Hainault.

Different year groups were asked by teachers which theme they would like to embrace for dressing up on the day.

Year 2 students opted for space characters while Year 6 students chose a Harry Potter theme.

Nightingale Primary School, Ashbourne Avenue, South Woodford, had a costumed parade in the playground as part of its celebrations.