Just a month to go until International Book Giving Day 2019 which takes place on Thursday February 14th. Itโ€™s one of Story Snugโ€™s favourite days of the year and we’re delighted to be part of the International Book Giving Day team ๐Ÿ™‚

What is International Book Giving Day?

On International Book Giving Day you are encouraged to give a book to a child. Many children donโ€™t own or have access to books and International Book Giving Day aims to ensure that children all over the world will receive books. Itโ€™s also a great day to promote enthusiasm and excitement about reading and books.

International Book Giving Day 2019 - Chris Haughton Poster - Story Snug

Do I have to give new books?

Books donโ€™t have to be new but they should be in good condition. They can be books that your family have outgrown or unwanted gifts. In the past we have given books to our local library, our local International School and sent books to a nursery school in the UK, 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 also posted books into our neighbours’ letterboxes and given them to our local doctors’ surgery.

How can I get involved?

  • Give a book to a child, a family member, a neighbour or a friend.
  • Donate books to your local childrenโ€™s hospital or to the waiting rooms of your doctorsโ€™ or dentistsโ€™ surgeries.
  • Leave books on the seats of buses, trains or planes or on park benches.
  • Donate a book to a local school or preschool.
  • Hold a book swapping morning in which you invite guests to bring a childโ€™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 haven’t met.
  • Support childrenโ€™s book related charities (there is a list in this International Book Giving Dayโ€™s blogpost).
  • Use the hashtag #bookgivingday to promote the day on social media.
  • Follow @bookgivingday on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

You can read more about International Book Giving Day 2019 and keep up with news and events on the Book Giving Day website. There are also two Book Giving Day posters, designed by Chris Haughton and Priya Kuriyan, which are free to download and use to advertise any events that you may have planned. There are also translated versions.

International Book Giving Day 2019 -  Priya Kuriyan poster - Story Snug

However you choose to celebrate and support International Book Giving Day the team would love to see your pictures and hear your stories. One of the easiest things you can do to help is to share this or any other International Book Giving Day 2019 blogposts or articles. It would also be great if you could share this interview with International Book Giving Day organiser Emma Perry who explains her role and more about how you can get involved.

Emmy Perry - Book Giving Day - Story Snug

Have a fabulous Book Giving Day 2019. We’d love to hear your plans in the comments ๐Ÿ™‚


Related posts


Enjoyed this? Share or comment.

Leave a Reply

24 responses to “Celebrating & supporting International Book Giving Day 2019”


  1. Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs avatar

    What a wonderful idea! It is so nice to see campaigns like this exist.
    Thanks for sharing with #MMBC. Hope you’ve had a good weekend. x


    1. Catherine avatar

      Book Giving Day has been celebrated for several years now. It’s wonderful to read about everybody’s #bookgivingday events.


  2. Bec @IshMotherBec avatar

    Some great ideas for book giving here, I’ll have to have a sort out of our books and see what I can give away on the day! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      Please post pictures on social media if you do ๐Ÿ™‚


  3. sarahmo3w avatar

    What a great idea! I’ve donated a lot of books to my kids’ old primary school library in the past, but how fantastic to have a special day just for book giving. I’m sure I could find more books to donate this year.


    1. Catherine avatar

      You can download and print free bookmarks from the Book Giving Day website to put in any books that you give on Book Giving Day ๐Ÿ™‚


  4. shelllouiseblog avatar

    I love this. KayCee and Ella will be having a sort out soon so we’ll have lots of books to donate ๐Ÿ™‚


    1. Catherine avatar

      Brilliant! If you give them away for Book Giving Day there are some lovely book marks on the International Book Giving Day website that you can download and print out ๐Ÿ™‚


  5. mumjd avatar

    It is a great idea. Nice that it is on a traditional gifting day too #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      Books also last a lot longer than roses and chocolate ๐Ÿ™‚


  6. Chantelle Hazelden (@MamaMummyMum) avatar

    I’m hoping to gift a load of books to the school that I work at on this day! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      That’s a fab idea! Don’t forget to tweet pictures of your packages ๐Ÿ™‚


  7. Kate on thin ice (@kateonthinice) avatar

    Thanks so much for sharing this and I don’t think I have heard of this before. What a lovely and potentially life-changing campaign #ReadwithMe


    1. Catherine avatar

      Every year there are lots of amazingly generous book givers. There are some truly heartwarming Book Giving Day stories on the website and Twitter.


  8. Louisa (@LouisaInsideOut) avatar

    What a fantastic initiative! I haven’t heard of this before but firmly believe you can never have too many books, I will see how I can join in. Thanks for sharing #mmbc


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is a fantastic initiative! I hope you have a fantastic Book Giving Day ๐Ÿ™‚


  9. Cheryl TimeToCraft (@CherylInTheUK) avatar

    I love the idea of this day. Books make such lovely gifts too. We pass on to charity shops. Never thought to give to the library. Must investigate. Meantime, I’m going to see how I can join in. #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      We give to our library as they don’t have a budget for English books. It’s a real thrill when we see them on the shelves!

      I hope you enjoy celebrating International Book Giving Day ๐Ÿ™‚


  10. Carol avatar

    I’m a huge book lover and this sounds like a fabulous idea – give books to children! #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s a great opportunity to pass on any good quality, used children’s books that your family may have outgrown ๐Ÿ™‚


  11. Nicola Kaye avatar

    I’ve never heard of this day before, how lovely! I will be sure to get involved #mmbc


    1. Catherine avatar

      I love giving books, it’s great to have a day when everybody is giving and sharing book love ๐Ÿ™‚


  12. Kim Carberry avatar

    Book giving day is such a fantastic idea. It is sad to know that many children don’t own books. #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is! Hopefully people all over the world can help to give books to deprived children on International Book Giving Day ๐Ÿ™‚