World Book Day is an annual event for schoolchildren to learn about reading, celebrate their favourite books and dress up as some of the most iconic literary characters.
World Book Day is about promoting a love of books around the world and is an opportunity to share our favourite stories. It began in April 1995, as a way to help children fall in love with reading and involved many charities donating books.
World Book Day was officially created by UNESCO in 1995 as the World Book & Copyright Day. In 1997, it was first celebrated in the UK and Ireland to inspire a curiosity for reading. Although it is celebrated in March in the UK, the United Nations selected April 23rd for the holiday because of the many culturally significant authors whose birth or death occurred on this day. For example, Shakespeare, Haldor K Laxness, and Manuel Mejia Vallejo were born on April 23, while Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes passed away that day. In fact, the original idea for this holiday started with Vicente Clavel Andres, a writer from Valencia, who wanted to honor the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes. World Book Day has other names, including International Day of the Book and the World Book and Copyright Day.
While this day does serve to remember and honor past authors, it is also a reminder that reading has many educational and social benefits. Reading is important for a child’s development and well being, but it’s also just fun! As avid readers and educators, we often have a list of reasons why a child should read regularly. This is true and important, but reading also can provide so much joy and delight. As far as enriching one’s education, mind, and well being, reading time is essential. This day is a great chance to remember to dedicate at least ten minutes a day to reading.
As part of World Book Day, UNESCO selects a World Book Capital for the year. The selected city promotes a love for reading for 12 months (from last World Book Day to the following one) through cultural activities for all ages. In 2021, UNESCO picked Tbilisi, Georgia. 2022’s World Book Capital is Guadalajara, Mexico, because of “its comprehensive plan for policies around the book to trigger social change, combat violence and build a culture of peace.” Guadalajara is already known for its International Book Fair, but its program as the 2022 World Book Capital will include events and workshops that create more shared reading spaces and community bonding. 2023’s World Book Capital was Accra, Ghana and this year France’s Strasbourg is to begin its tenure as UNESCO’s World Book Capital on April 23, 2024, as Accra concludes its year in the role. The city of Strasbourg, with its rich history and cultural heritage, has been recognised as UNESCO’s World Book Capital for 2024.
In other countries, many schools and libraries have events and activities to celebrate the day. Many people donate to charities that make books more accessible in their communities. The theme for World Book Day 2024 is “Read Your Way”, with the charity explaining: “World Book Day 2024 will celebrate that children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed and we make reading fun.”
A great way to spend the day is doing a variety of bookish things. That might include visiting bookshops, going to the library, attending book readings, or just taking out a new book and reading for a bit. It can be as simple as reading with a friend or having a chat about a new book over coffee. With children, you can encourage them to dress up or act out a book. Some educators may consider using puppets to show scenes from books.
