Just under a month to go! International Book Giving Day takes place on Saturday February 14th. It’s one of Story Snug’s favourite days of the year!
What is International Book Giving Day?
On International Book Giving Day you are encouraged to give a book to a child. Many children don’t own or have access to books and International Book Giving Day aims to ensure that children all over the world will receive books. It’s also a great day to promote enthusiasm and excitement about books.
Do I have to give new books?
Books don’t have to be new but should be in good condition. They can be used books that your family have outgrown or unwanted gifts. For the last two years we have sent books to The Rainbow Library, they were a mix of new and good quality books that we bought in charity shops (which meant that the charities also benefited). We have given new books to family and friends as well as good quality books that we no longer read. We have started looking through our bookshelves to find books that we can donate on February 14th.
How can I get involved?
- Give a book to a child, a family member, a neighbour or a friend.
- Donate books to your local children’s hospital or to the waiting rooms of your doctors’ or dentist’ surgery.
- Leave books on the seats of buses, trains or planes.
- Donate a book to a local school or preschool.
- Hold a book swapping morning in which you invite guests to bring a child’s book to give to the child of another guest.
- Hold a picture book party. Invite guests to bring a picture book to give to a young guest along with a book themed snack so that everyone can enjoy a picture book picnic.
- Arrange to give / swap a book with a parent, grandparent, godparent or teacher that you have connected with on social media but not met.
- Join Playing By the Book‘s International Book Swap in which you agree to send a book to whoever book blogger Zoe partners you with. You have until February 1st to register for the swap in which you state your book preference (Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult) before Zoe pairs you up with a recipient.
- Support children’s book related charities (there is a list on International Book Giving Day’s website).
- Use the hashtag #giveabook to promote the day on social media.
- Follow @bookgivingday on Twitter and Facebook.
You can read more about International Book Giving Day 2015 and keep up with news and events on their website. You can also download this year’s logo, designed by Chris Haughton, this year’s bookmark designed by Anna Walker and bookplates designed by Gus Gordon and Gus MacKinnon.
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