World Book Day 2013 in UK and US Promoting Young Readers
Over a 100 countries will celebrate World Book Day, in honor of books, their makers, and the art of a good story.
The United Kingdom will celebrate their "World Book Day" today, March 7. The United Nation's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will work today with members in the publishing industry to provide reading opportunities to children who may otherwise not have the opportunity to purchase a book. Across the United Kingdom and Ireland, this mission will be achieved by offering book tokens, which can be exchanged for one of eight different books nominated this year, available at participating booksellers.
The organization also sends out packages through schools, secondary schools, and nurseries that register for event. The package includes "ideas and activities" for becoming more involved in the celebration of Book Day, according to worldbookday.com. Resource packages are also available online for those who wish to become involved.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Some classrooms and teachers will also celebrate the day by allowing their student to dress up as characters from their favorite book.
The United States also takes part in the international holiday, but the day is usually celebrated in October. The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) typically organizes this event in conjunction with the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). IBBY will hold a conference for "BookJoy Around the World" on from October 18-20 at the St. Louis Public Library.
The conference will include talks from guest authors and illustrators, lectures, exhibits, discussions, and a walk through the history of books.
