International Children’s Book Day (ICBD)

Every year, the International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated on April 2 in honour of the Danish author Hans Christian Anderson. The aim of the day is to encourage children's love of reading through the use of books. Each year, the International Bureau of Children's Books (IBBY) chooses a new department to be the international sponsor of ICBD. The IBBY selects a theme and asks a well-known writer from the host nation to pen a letter to young readers everywhere. This message is then accompanied by an illustration by a renowned illustrator on a poster. Many strategies are used to promote books and reading with the resources produced by IBBY. 

International Children's Book Day history

ICBD was initiated by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organization founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1953. The organization aims to promote international understanding through children's books, as well as to advocate for children's right to access quality literature.

The idea for International Children's Book Day was proposed by Jella Lepman, a German writer and journalist, who founded the International Youth Library in Munich in 1949. Lepman strongly believed in the power of children's literature to foster empathy, understanding, and cultural exchange, especially in the aftermath of World War II.

The first International Children's Book Day was celebrated on April 2, 1967, coinciding with Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, the renowned Danish author best known for his fairy tales. Andersen's works have had a profound influence on children's literature worldwide, making his birthday a fitting date to celebrate children's books.

Significance of International Children's Book Day

International Children's Book Day is important because it encourages children around the world to read for pleasure and to become more literate. This annual event, organised by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), celebrates children's literature and the continuing legacy of authors such as Hans Christian Andersen. Through books, children are given the opportunity to discover many points of view, spark their imagination and develop a lifelong love of reading, helping to create a brighter future through the power of storytelling.