'Ask Eva' is the latest of Judi Curtin's Eva Gordon series of heart-warming stories.

World Book Day is back again on Thursday March 7th 2013 and children in schools all over Ireland have started to receive special World Book Day tokens courtesy of their local bookshop. From Monday 25th February until 24th March, children can go into nearly every bookshop inIreland and exchange their token for one of nine new children's titles, completely free and specifically written to celebrate World Book Day. No payment is necessary with the token. The book is a gift to youngsters from local booksellers, who redeem them at their own expense, as part of World Book Day's quest to share the magic of reading.

Over 1 million €1.50 World Book Day Book Tokens will be distributed to school children across the country. National Book Tokens, principal sponsor of World Book Day also sponsor the tokens.

Young imaginations will run wild with the exciting line up of nine new books from bestselling children's authors and illustrators. Children are in for a treat with a specially-written World Book Day title by popular Irish writer Judi Curtin. Ask Eva is the latest in her bestselling Eva Gordon series of heart-warming stories. Kids across the country will get their groove on with Giraffes Can't Dance: Colouring and Puzzle Fun from Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees; teach mums and dads a thing or two using Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry's Guide to Perfect Parents; or uncover what makes things tick with the Weird World of Wonders: Funny Inventions by TV's Tony Robinson.

Families can share the world of Shirley Hughes' much-loved character 'Alfie', as he returns in his latest story Alfie's Shop, while young teens will be swept up in the romance and friendships of Cathy Cassidy's latest edition to the popular Chocolate Box Girls series, Bittersweet. Liz Pichon invites readers to have the Best Book Day Ever! (so far) with the newest Tom Gatesnovel, a brilliant blend of stories and doodles; meanwhile those with a nose for adventure can follow the code-cracking exploits of schoolgirl Ruby Redfort in an original mystery by Lauren Child or enjoy the thrill of the chase alongside Anthony Horowitz's Diamond Brothers in their latest showdown, Two of Diamonds.

New for 2013, World Book Day Ireland is offering one lucky school a chance to win a library of books! All you have to do is post your event and photographs to the World Book Day Facebook page and let us know what you got up to in celebration of the day. There is €1,000 worth of books up for grabs and the winner will be announced on the World Book Day Facebook page at the end of March. www.facebook.com/WBDireland So get planning now! The competition is open to schools inNorthern Ireland andRepublic ofIreland.

Also, this year an extra-special surprise is in store for children who download the World Book Day 'Books Alive' app, as they can watch their €1.50 book token and books come to life for the first time through augmented reality technology by scanning them with a smartphone.

To mark the big day itself, 2013 will see the return of 'The Biggest Book Show on Earth' - the original live-streamed literary festival for children - which last year saw half a million children from 78 countries worldwide tuning in to watch performances by their favourite writers and illustrators. Register for the show through www.worldbookday.com to or watch it online at a later date.

Storycraft is a new online initiative which brings together tips on writing and illustration from top children's writers, while an exciting array of events will also be taking place to mark the day in schools, libraries and bookshops across the country - from sponsored dress-ups and competitions to appearances and readings by top authors.

Vouchers are sent out automatically to primary schools. Pre-schools and secondary schools can email worldbookdayireland@gmail.com to request vouchers.