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.
I love books and cannot believe I didn’t know about this! Thanks for the informative post – I’m definitely going to take part x
I’m so happy that this post has helped you! Have a great International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
Brilliant! I hope that you have a great International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
I find it really sad that some children do not have access to books. All children should have books!
I didn’t know this date existed, will put it in my diary as a reminder!
Thank you for linking up with the #WeekendBlogHop
Laura x x x
It is sad but true, figures differ from country to country (you can find examples on International Book Giving Day’s website). I hope you have a great International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
What an amazing idea – thanks so much for highlighting this 🙂 #weekendbloghop
It’s one of our favourite days of the year. I’m already thinking about how and where we can donate books 🙂 #giveabook
I hadn’t heard of this, I love the idea of international book giving day. I’m definitely going to donate some of the girls’ duplicate books. Great post, I hope everyone will join in, reading is so important.x
That’s brilliant Natalie. Please spread the word 🙂 #giveabook
This is lovely, I love the idea of leaving a book on a train for the next person to find.
Thanks for linking up with #WeekendBlogHop.
You’re welcome. Enjoy International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
I love International Book Giving Day. I usually gather up all my review copies and donate them to my local library, who than distributes donations to readers, so I know they will go to someone. My Kiddo perfers to leave books around town with a note in them about the day. I also love that it is a world wide event.
That’s a lovely idea Alex – it’s great that your review copies go to a good home 🙂 #giveabook
Love the event! looking forward to it this year. we usually donate to our school library. Its fun to watch the kids pick up the books and read them after the event! Thanks for joining us on KidLitbloghop!
It’s a great day isn’t it 🙂 I’m sure your school library really appreciates the books. #giveabook
What a wonderful idea! Love the focus on books and not cheap Valentines Day cards. Will have to think about how to get my third graders involved.
I much prefer giving books to giving Valentines Day cards 🙂 #giveabook
I’m so glad you wrote about this, Catherine. I didn’t know about this event until today. It is wonderful. We give away books through our program Read Baby READ. 🙂 Came via Kid Lit Blog Hop. 🙂
So happy to have spread the word Pamela. I hope that you have a great International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
Such a great initiative, we will be sure to find a way to get involved. Thanks for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
It’s one of my favourite days of the year 🙂 #giveabook
I did not know about this! Thanks, I’ll get involved 🙂
It’s a lovely way to spread some booky love. Thank you for sharing the post 🙂 #giveabook
I have never heard of this – what a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for posting about it!
You’re welcome Louise, thank you for sharing the post 🙂 #giveabook
I wasn’t aware of International Book Giving Day (or how simple it was to get involved). Now, I am thinking of all the places I go each day that I can leave a book. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re welcome Stacie. I hope you have a wonderful International Book Giving Day 🙂 #giveabook
Yay for International Book Giving Day! I can’t wait! Thanks for sharing at the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
We’re looking forward to it too 🙂 #giveabook