An unusual audience turned up to a reading on a popular barge bookshop to celebrate World Book Day (March 2).

Publisher Lonely Planet held a special ‘canine reading’ aboard the Word on the Water in Regent’s Canal, Kings Cross.

Head of Lonely Planet UK, Tom Hall, read new release Atlas of Dogs, an illustrated guide to more than 150 dog breeds and their country of origin, to a canine crowd.

The audience gave the reader their full attention, although it was not clear what they thought of the book.

Ham & High: The event was held to raise money for charity All Dogs MatterThe event was held to raise money for charity All Dogs Matter (Image: Lonely Planet)

He said: “This World Book Day, Lonely Planet wanted to celebrate our canine friends around the world.

“I had a great time sharing travel stories with a few of the locals at Word on the Water.

“Our new Atlas of Dogs book is a fun way to discover the planet, and whet the appetite of young travellers for future adventures.”

The event was held to help fund the charity All Dogs Matter. Details of their work can be found at alldogsmatter.co.uk.  

Those who visit Word on the Water over the next few days have the chance to pick up a free copy of Atlas of Dogs, as well as a voucher to make a £25 donation to the abandoned dog charity.

Each £25 donation could feed five dogs for a day, cover the cost of staying at the shelter for two nights or pay for a vaccination and microchip.