International Book Giving Day (IBGD) takes place on Wednesday February 14th. Today we’re very excited to reveal the International Book Giving Day 2018 poster designed by author / illustrator Elys Dolan.
Isn’t it fabulous?!
Elys’ poster features a variety of fun, book loving characters and you may recognise some familiar characters from her illustrated novel, Knighthood for Beginners (OUP 2017) We love the way that several of them are so completely immersed in their books that they aren’t aware of the little dragon (a mobile librarian maybe?). We hope that he has enough books to give to every child in the kingdom on Book Giving Day 🙂
The poster is available to download from the Book Giving Day website and you are all very welcome to print it and display it in libraries, schools, bookshops and children’s centres to publicise International Book Giving Day as far and wide as possible!
‘We can’t wait to see Elys Dolan’s poster in the wild, spreading the word about International Book Giving Day. She has done an amazing job, and we’re incredibly grateful for her involvement.’
Emma Perry, #BookGivingDay organiser
Elys has also designed gorgeous bookmarks and bookplates for you to print and give away with your books. Click on the link for the downloadable PDF versions.
What is International Book Giving Day?
International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to, and enthusiasm for, books. 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 is also a great day to promote enthusiasm and excitement about books as well as to encourage more children to read.
Now in it’s 6th year International Book Giving Day continues to grow from strength to strength reaching many countries including Nepal, India, Canada, South Africa, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Nigeria, Fiji, Czech Republic, USA, Cambodia, Hungary, Philippines and Romania.
How can I get involved in International Book Giving Day?
- Give a book to a child – a family member, a neighbour or a friend.
- Donate books to your local children’s hospital or give them to doctors or dentists to use in their waiting rooms.
- Leave books on the seats of buses or trains leave them on park benches with a message or one of the International Book giving day bookplates inside.
- Donate books to schools, nurseries, preschools, childminders or libraries.
- Hold a book swap morning in which you invite guests to bring a child’s book to give to another guest’s child.
- Hold a picture book party! Invite guests to bring a picture book to give to a young guest as well as a picture book themed snack so that you 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.
- Support children’s book related charities.
- Donate books to charities working with child refugees.
- Use the hashtag #bookgivingday to promote the day on social media.
- Share this and any other International Book Giving Day blogposts wherever you can.
- Blog about International Book Giving Day.
- Follow International Book Giving Day on Twitter and Facebook.
- Display the International Book Giving Day logo on your blog or website.
- Print out the poster to spread the word about International Book Giving Day.
- In addition, we encourage people to support the work of nonprofit organisations that work all year round to give books to children.
Do I have to give new books?
Books don’t have to be new but should be in good condition. They can be books that your family have outgrown or unwanted gifts. In previous 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’ve also given new books to family and friends as well as good quality books that we no longer read. Since Christmas we’ve tidied our bookshelves and have found books that we don’t read any more. We plan to donate them on February 14th to our local library and to our local International School.
For up to date information about International Book Giving Day you can follow on Twitter and Facebook. You’ll also find more information on the International Book Giving Day website.
About Elys Dolan
Elys is an author and illustrator based in Cambridge where she studied children’s book illustration. She works predominantly with ink, newfangled digital witchcraft and coloured pencils of which she is the proud owner of 178 but can never seem to find a sharpener. When not doing pictures and making things up Elys enjoys growing cacti, working on her PhD about funny picture books and eating excessive amounts of fondant fancies.
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram
Last year some very generous authors and illustrators joined us to give away signed copies of their books in our 24 hour Book Giving Day giveaway. We’re looking forward to doing the same again this year 🙂
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