International Children's Book Day

Today is International Children's Book Day

International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is a yearly event sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an international non-profit organization. Founded in 1967, the day is observed on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, April 2. Activities include writing competitions, announcements of book awards and events with authors of children's literature.

Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading. Many IBBY Sections promote ICBD through the media and organize activities in schools and public libraries. Often ICBD is linked to celebrations around children's books and other special events that may include encounters with authors and illustrators, writing competitions or announcements of book awards. 

TODAY is International Children’s Book Day, which has been celebrated each year on April 2 since 1967.

Top 10 facts about children's books

1. The date of April 2 was chosen as it was the date of birth, in 1805, of Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author of The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and many other children’s favourites.

2. Hans Andersen once visited Charles Dickens and stayed for five weeks, much to the distress of Dickens’ family.

3. In 1903 Beatrix Potter designed and patented a Peter Rabbit doll – making Peter Rabbit the world’s oldest licensed character.

4. In 1910, she patented Jemima Puddle-Duck.

In 1903 Beatrix Potter designed and patented a Peter Rabbit doll – making Peter Rabbit the world’s oldest licensed character 

5. Grimm’s Fairy Tales were not originally written for children but were folk tales for adults.

6. The brothers Grimm removed a number of sex scenes but increased the violence when bringing out an edition for children.

7. JM Barrie gave the rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street children’s hospital.

8. The first children’s book published in English was Caxton’s edition of Aesop’s Fables in 1484.

9. Alice In Wonderland was banned in Hunan, China, in 1931 because portraying animals as using a human language is an insult to the human race.

10. Dr Seuss’s book, Green Eggs And Ham, uses only 50 different words.

Source: Panorama.am