International Children’s Book Day is an annual event organized by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). It is celebrated on April 2 in honor of the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, the renowned Danish writer best known for his fairy tales.
IBBY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting children and books. Founded in Switzerland, it now has branches in many countries around the world.
IBBY established International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) in 1967, and since then, it has been celebrated annually. The event aims to highlight the importance of children’s books and inspire a love for reading. Each year, different national sections take turns serving as the international sponsor of the event.
The host country selects a theme and invites a prominent author and illustrator to create the event’s slogan and official design. The slogan and thematic poster are used to promote books and reading. Schools and libraries worldwide hold special ICBD events, including writing contests, meetings with children’s book authors and illustrators, award ceremonies, and other activities.