Why Is This Day Celebrated?

International Children’s Book Day, celebrated annually on the 2nd of April, commemorates the love of reading—especially among children—and the significance of children’s books. Since 1967, this day has been observed on the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, a famous Danish children’s author known for The Princess and the Pea and The Ugly Duckling. This observance was established by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Each year, a different IBBY national section hosts the event and invites an author and a designer from the host country to promote the day. The occasion highlights the joy of reading, the importance of books, and learning among young readers.

Importance of the Day

International Children’s Book Day emphasizes the significance of high-quality literature for children and the creativity it fosters. It highlights the love of reading that unites children worldwide. This day also acknowledges the diversity of children’s books in terms of characters, themes, and writing styles. Exposure to diverse books helps children understand different cultures and develop global awareness. Furthermore, research suggests that books play a crucial role in mental health, with many children’s stories containing themes of perseverance, resilience, and positivity, which can have a profound impact on a child’s well-being. Above all, this day underscores the inner peace and inspiration that books can provide.

Theme for 2025

The theme for International Children’s Book Day 2025 is “The Freedom of Imagination”, chosen by this year’s IBBY host country, the Netherlands. The selected author for this year is Rian Visser, and the designer is Janneke Ipenburg. The theme represents how books cultivate children’s imaginations, helping them see the world in new ways and explore creative possibilities. Good storytelling broadens perspectives and fuels curiosity. People worldwide can honor this day by participating in activities such as donating books, supporting local libraries, organizing storytelling sessions, or entering reading and writing competitions.

UNESCO BMW’s Involvement

UNESCO BMW has always been a strong advocate for International Children’s Book Day and the promotion of children’s literature. Our organization runs various programs to raise awareness of the importance of storytelling and books in early education. We have collaborated with book art centers and libraries, hosted storytelling sessions for children, and even supported the publication of diverse children’s books, such as If I Could, which can be found on our website.

UNESCO BMW’s Vision

Our vision revolves around promoting creativity in children’s literature and fostering diversity in books. At UNESCO BMW, we believe that literature plays a key role in cultivating inner peace, an essential component of our mission (see our ReWind program). Children’s books help develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience, guiding young readers toward a deeper sense of self-awareness and harmony. Our mission remains to support the publication of high-quality, diverse children’s literature that nurtures young minds.

By: Vallerie Kalekar

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