World Book Day 2022: Children from across district celebrate their literary heroes

We've been inundated with images sent in by proud parents, showing off their youngsters' literary inspirations, and are pleased to share some of them with you today.

Marnie Hart as Coco Chanel for World Book Day. (Image: Jenna Hart)

But one story particularly touched our hearts, that of four-year-old Lenny Mansell-Baron, who dressed up as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

His mum Steph explained how he has multi-cystic kidney dysplasia, has already undergone two major heart surgeries with at least another two more needed, and is susceptible to upper respiratory infections.

Because he is so vulnerable, Lenny has been shielded with his mum for much of the last two years.

Although he started school in September, after a week his was admitted to hospital with sepsis, and was then on and off until November when they started shielding again.

"Even though we have got him into school this week with lots of restrictions still in place, he isn’t allowed to join in with the other children though, and had to watch his class and the rest of the school via an iPad this morning doing their World Book Day parade, but still joined in with the dressing up.

"I think he looks great, but he has missed out on so much, and it absolutely broke his heart this morning that he couldn’t join in with everyone dressed up in the parade and could only participate virtually," added Steph.

Thanks again for all your contributions!

Izzy as Cruella DiVille. (Image: Lucy Walker)

Matilda Miller age 9 as Aslan and Scarlett Miller age 10 as Newt Scamander. (Image: Rebekah Miller)

Giorgio aged 8, and Rosa aged 2, as Harry and Hedwig. (Image: Danielle Picton)

Alexia Ostler, 7, as Jessie from Toy Story. (Image: Jess Majercin)

Amelia and Jaxson Whitaker from Mandeville Primary School as Gansta Granny and BFG. (Image: James Whitaker)

Harriet (7) and Elizabeth (10) from Maple Primary School (Image: Christina Brown)

Hadley Meads, aged 7 as Jessie with her trusty steed Bullseye from Toy Story. (Image: Zoe Meads)

Tiana from St John Fisher School in Marshalswick as an Oompa Loompa. (Image: Jessica Smith)

Evelyn aged 6 and Aubrey aged 2 as Cinderella and her Prince Charming (Image: Jessica Smith)

Isabella Hope as the March Hare. (Image: Hannah Hope)

Maisie, eight, and Rosie, three, both as Mary Poppins. (Image: Charlotte Buckman)

Quintin (8 months) as a wizard. (Image: Jazzi Craddock)

Freya (year 2) and Luke (nursery) both at Mandeville Primary in St Albans planned and designed their own outfits. Freya is Cruella DiVille from the original Dixie Smith book- it was very important to her she went as the original version not the Disney/cartoon version, while Luke wanted to be Elmer. (Image: Carolyn Philpot)

Emmeline Murray, 7, as the “other mother” from Coraline, complete with buttons! (Image: Andrew Murray)

Olivia Quinn, 8, from Shenley, as Mary Poppins. (Image: Sinead Quinn)

Ava Rosa as Frida Kahlo. She wanted to send the message of peace: 'FRIEDE'. (Image: Maria Rosa)

Brooke Collins, age 6, How the Leopard got its Spots. (Image: Juliet Collins)

William McKinney, aged 3 dressed up as his number one character- The Gruffalo. (Image: Lauren McKinney)

Peter White (aged 10) from High Beeches Primary, Harpenden dressed as Ash from the FrostHeart trilogy. His family sent a message to the author on the way to school and very kindly he replied. (Image: Anita White)

Kaiser, 7 years old (Mr. Fox) and Lana four, as Red Riding Hood. (Image: Thufela Haque)

Brooke Collins, age 6, How the Leopard got its Spots. (Image: Juliet Collins)