It’s just a week until International Book Giving Day which takes place on February 14th. It’s one of Story Snug’s favourite days of the year. Books last much longer than chocolates and flowers and our daughter is far more excited when she receives a book than she is about celebrating Valentines Day!
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 in countries all over the world will receive books. It’s also a great day to promote enthusiasm and excitement about reading and books.
Do I have to give new books?
Books don’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 children’s hospital or to the waiting rooms of your doctors’ or dentists’ 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 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 haven’t met.
- Support children’s book related charities (there is a list in this International Book Giving Day’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 and keep up with news and events on the Book Giving Day website. Many fabulous illustrators have generously designed Book Giving Day posters, bookmarks and bookplates which are free to download and use to advertise any events that you may have planned. Translated versions are also available.
However you choose to celebrate and support International Book Giving Day we hope you have fun. One of the easiest things you can do to support the Book Giving Day team is to share this or any other International Book Giving Day 2022 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.
Have a fabulous Book Giving Day 2022. We’d love to hear if you have any plans 🙂
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