National Awareness Days.com is raising awareness of the day on its website.
International Children’s Book Day is celebrated every 2 April, inspiring children to pick up a book and get reading.
April the 2nd was chosen to mark this day for young literature lovers as it’s the same date as Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, the author of many famous children’s stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
Organised by the International Board on Books For Young People, or IBBY, the aim is to promote books and reading to young people. IBBY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953 and today there are 70 National Sections from all parts of the world.
During International Children’s Book Day there will be a number of events held around the world, including writing competitions and talks from famous authors and illustrators.
While you might be familiar with well-known works like Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland, there is a whole host of fabulous children’s books out there waiting to be discovered – not just by children but by adults who are young at heart too!
To find out more about the day and events happening near you, visit International Childrens Book Day website and pick up a book today.
IBBY is a non-profit organization which represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.
Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s BookDay (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading. Many IBBY Sections promote ICBD through the media and organize activities in schools and public libraries. Often ICBD is linked to celebrations around children’s books and other special events that may include encounters with authors and illustrators, writing competitions or announcements of book awards. Current and past posters are available from the IBBY Secretariat. A catalogue of posters and messages that have appeared between 1967 and 2002, created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of IBBY is also available.
For more information go to: National Awareness Day
