Celebrate World Book Day with Glitch
Guest post written by volunteer and PANS mum, Becca Whyte
Every March, World Book Day champions the joy of reading. This year, could you celebrate with Glitch?
Some children with PANS or PANDAS face reading hurdles, while others find comfort and escapism in books. Celebrating World Book Day with Glitch could be a chance to ease reading pressures and let children engage with stories on their own terms.
What is World Book Day?
The charity World Book Day was developed to promote reading for fun, for everyone. This year, World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5th March, and it’s extra special this year because 2026 is the National Year of Reading; a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading. Go All In, the charity behind the campaign, believe that “By starting with passions, not pressure, we can create a stronger, more connected reading culture across the UK”. We know our young community members are passionate about raising awareness and campaigning, so we think the Glitch comic is the perfect choice!
Who is Glitch?
Our amazing Youth Board co-designed Glitch with Catherine and Pete from Taming Olivia. Together, they wanted to create a resource that was designed by young people, for young people; a way for anyone affected by PANS or PANDAS to be seen, understood, and heard.
This March, Glitch has a new mission: conquer World Book Day! We invite children, families, and supporters to use Glitch as a tool to express themselves creatively, celebrate the stories and voices of our community, and help raise awareness of PANS and PANDAS.
How can I celebrate World Book Day with Glitch?
There are loads of ways to get involved! you could…
- Grab a copy of our comic or consider gifting one to your school or local library.
- If your school takes part in World Book Day dress-up, why not dress up as Glitch, or one of his friends? You could ask your siblings and friends to join you too. Don’t forget to share your photo with us.
- Get your whole class involved by printing out our new profile pictures on sticker paper, or ask your teacher to read Glitch’s comic to the class.
- Adults can also join in! Ask your parents, carers and family friends to consider changing their social media profile picture to Glitch for the day.
- If your school enjoys Glitch, you could ask for the link to purchase the comic to be shared in school newsletters.
- Your teachers could also use the creative character resource packs from Taming Olivia in the classroom. These are designed to help children engage with and empathise with the challenges faced by our community in fun, creative ways.
- Get doodling! Share a picture of your own comic book creations, or drawings of Glitch with us so we can add them to our Glitch gallery. Maybe you can use Taming Olivia’s amazing character design packs to help!
- Share our World Book Day resource with teachers, packed full of creative comic themed World Book Day ideas all inspired by Glitch
– Coming soon!
- Also, let your teachers know about our new video for primary-aged children and accompanying guide for educators, both designed to help primary school pupils understand PANS and PANDAS and how to support any affected classmates.
Young community members celebrating Glitch, Olivia and World Book Day!
Don’t forget!
We have also created a whole range of glitch merchandise (including stickers!) to help you raise awareness of PANS and PANDAS.
Thank you Becca
This guest post was written by Becca Whyte. Becca has worked in education for 18 years, predominantly within secondary settings. Her experience includes leading the development of English curricula, driving whole-school literacy initiatives, and serving as a Raising Standards Leader for English.
Following her daughter’s acute onset of PANS, and inspired by the challenges faced within the community, Becca transitioned into a career in therapeutic education, where she works exclusively with children with SEND, complex medical needs and EBSA.
Becca is also a dedicated volunteer with the PANS PANDAS UK teacher training team and regularly delivers our CPD training.
Thank you Becca for everything you do for us!
