Monday 28 March 2016

International Children's Book Day

Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, 2 April, International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. Each year, it is sponsored by a different chapter of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People). This year the sponsor is Brazil, and the theme is Once Upon a Time.

Around here, we LOVE children's books. Children's books have a way of opening us to the world unlike any other books. A simple picture book can take you right to another country, take you into another time or place, or put you into a new situation. For some examples, try the 2016 Outstanding International Books -- chosen by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY). These books represent the best in children's books from around the globe, allowing children to see their world from other points of view. We've put together a booklist of the ones we own to make it easy for you to get them. The books on this list are great for teachers, parents, families, and even adults.  Take a look at this list and find a new perspective.

Some of my favourite books are wordless books. I was recently in Halifax for a display of wordless books from around the world -- the exhibit was called Silent Books. It inspired me to create this booklist of some of our best wordless titles. I love the idea that you can read these, regardless of what language you speak or read in. Share one of these books with a child (or with your best friend, no matter what their age).

I also blog about picture books over at ValleyStorytime. I love picture books so much I just can't help myself. You can ask my co-workers. I longingly look at the unopened boxes that arrive because I know there are children's books in some of them.

So, no matter who you are, what your age is-- pick up a children's book (or ten) and celebrate International Children's Book Day on April 2.  Remember what Once Upon a Time is all about!

--Angela J. Reynolds, Community Engagement Coordinator


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