International Children's Book Day

International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books.
Founded in 1967, the day is observed on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, April 2.

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!

The best and fastest way to develop our young children into intelligent human beings is by teaching them to read. Instilling a love of reading promotes a lifetime of learning and enjoyment.

Libraries celebrate today with story telling hours and other events for young children. You can celebrate today by giving a new book to each of your kids. If they are too young to read, spend time reading stories to them. Its a great and memorable bonding time for you and your child.

About Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen (April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales, a literary genre he so mastered that he himself has become as mythical as the tales he wrote. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories—called eventyr, or 'fantastic tales'—express themes that transcend age and nationality.
During his lifetime he was acclaimed for having delighted children worldwide and was feted by royalty. Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. They have inspired motion pictures, plays, ballets, and animated films.