International Board on Books for Young People organised International Children's Book Day for the first time on April 2, 1967.
International Children's Book Day is observed on April 2, the birthday of Danish author Hans Christian Anderson, to encourage and develop reading habits among children.
The day also puts the spotlight on children's books such as those written by Hans Christian Anderson. His most famous fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Little Mermaid," "The Nightingale," "The Snow Queen," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Match Girl," and "Thumbelina."
History of the day:
International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is an annual celebration organised by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a global non-profit organisation. Activities feature writing contests, notifications of literary awards and engagements with authors of children's books.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) decides on a theme for the day and selects a member region to host the day. That region chooses local authors from the host country to write a message to children of the world. An illustrator designs a poster to go with the theme, and the material is used to promote children’s books and reading.
The theme of 2025:
In 2025, International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is sponsored by IBBY-Netherlands and the poster is made by two Dutch creators of children’s books. The theme of the 2025 International Children's Book Day is freedom of imagination and the motto is the last sentence of the poem 'The Language of Pictures': 'Make pictures for my poem, and please feel free: these words belong to you even though they came from me.'
The poem comes from the illustrated poetry collection Alle wensen van de wereld (2021) by Rian Visser and illustrator Janneke Ipenburg. This book was awarded a Zilveren Griffel in the Netherlands and the Gouden Poëziemedaille (Gold Poetry Medal) in Belgium. Children’s Book Day was founded so that people all around the world can enjoy a good book. It is a day to inspire others to read, as well as calling attention to children’s books especially.
Benefits of reading children's books:
Expanded Vocabulary: Kids encounter a broader array of vocabulary and sentence forms, enhancing their language abilities.
Enhanced Communication Abilities: Reading stories aloud and discussing them aids children in enhancing their communication skills.
Foundational Reading Abilities: Reading to young children fosters essential literacy skills, including the ability to recognise letters and sounds.
Understanding of language patterns: Reading introduces children to the rhythm and framework of language, aiding them in enhancing their own language abilities.
Improved Imagination and Creativity: Books take children to various realms, igniting their imaginations and promoting innovative thinking.
Enhanced Attention and Concentration: Reading demands concentrated effort, aiding children in enhancing their focus abilities.
Improved Comprehension of Cause and Effect: Tales frequently depict scenarios in which actions lead to results, aiding kids in grasping cause and effect.
Enhanced Memory: Reading aids children in enhancing their memory abilities as they remember events and characters from narratives.
Emotional and Social Growth: Exploring various characters and scenarios can aid children in building empathy and comprehension for others.
Interpersonal Abilities: Exchanging books and talking about stories can enhance social interaction and communication abilities.
Emotional Recognition: Narratives assist children in discovering and comprehending various emotions, fostering emotional intelligence.
Fostering a Passion for Reading: Reading to children early on can foster a lasting passion for reading and education.
Help to create bonding: Sharing reading time can forge a unique connection between parents and their kids.
Famous writers and their books for children
JK Rowling:
Writer of the hugely successful "Harry Potter" series, which familiarised a generation with the realm of wizards.
Enid Blyton:
A highly productive writer celebrated for her adventure stories such as "The Famous Five" and "The Secret Seven," in addition to the "Noddy" series.
AA Milne:
Introduced the cherished character Winnie-the-Pooh in his works "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner".
CS Lewis:
Creator of the iconic fantasy saga "The Chronicles of Narnia".
JRR Tolkien:
The mastermind behind the grand fantasy realms of Middle-earth in "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings".
Maurice Sendak:
Recognised for his illustrated books, especially "Where the Wild Things Are."
Eric Carle:
Renowned for his illustrated books, especially "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".
Julia Donaldson:
Writer of well-known illustrated books such as "The Gruffalo".
LM Montgomery:
Writer of the timeless book "Anne of Green Gables".
Ruskin Bond:
A writer from India recognized for his tales located in the Indian mountains. 'The Wind on the Haunted Hill' and 'The Night Train at Deoli ' by Ruskin Bond.
Louisa May Alcott:
Writer of the timeless book "Little Women".
Beverly Cleary:
Writer of literature for young audiences, such as "Ramona the Pest".
Judy Blume:
Writer of stories for young audiences, such as "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing".
Others:
'Malgudi Days' by R.K. Narayan, 'The Bird with Golden Wings' by Sudha Murthy, 'A Children's History of India' by Subhadra
Different types of children's books:
Board Book
Picture Books
Rhyming Books.
Informational Books.
Poetry Books.
Interactive Books.
Fairytale Books.
Folklore Books
Horror books
Science Fiction books
Different activity books
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