International Children's Book Day 2020

Today marks International Children's Book Day, observed annually on or around Hans Christen Anderson's birthday, April 2.

Reading is the perfect way for children to learn about new and exciting cultures from around the world. With stories about the exotic islands that make up The Islands of Tahiti to adventure stories featuring Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Books allow children to begin dreaming about traveling around the world.

Hans Christian Anderson, Central Park, New York ©MDHarding

About International Children's Book Day

Sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People, an international non-profit organisation. It was founded in 1967.

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. This year, IBBY Slovenia is hosting ICBD and chose the theme, “A Hunger for Words.” Slovenian writer Peter Svetina wrote the message, translated to English by Jernej Županič, and Damijan Stepančič designed the poster.

Here are some of the world's inspiring children's books, with exciting adventures and exotic lands.

USA Havenfall (Sara Holland) - Colorado, USA

Released at the beginning of March, Havenfall is a new fantasy fiction novel by New York Times best-selling author Sara Holland. The book follows the story of young Maddie Marrow and her experiences at Havenfall, a fictional town and the gateway to other realms, which is nestled deep within Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountains provide an atmospheric backdrop as Maddie embarks on a journey to discover the shocking truths about the dangers lurking beneath Havenfall. colorado.com

The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss) – San Diego, California

Dr. Seuss, the famous author, and illustrator of children’s books, once lived in San Diego’s seaside community of La Jolla, where his fantastical world and beloved characters came to life. At his home and studio high atop Mount Soledad, Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated one of his most famous works, ‘The Cat in The Hat’, as well as more than 40 other well-known titles. During March and throughout the summer, the Geisel Library – named for Theodore and his wife Audrey Geisel – exhibits selections from a vast Dr. Seuss Collection of more than 10,000 items from his personal archive, including drawings, storyboards, rough drafts, notebooks, photographs, and other memorabilia. Sandiego.org