International Book Giving Day this Friday

13 February 2014 Books+Publishing

Friday 14 February is International Book Giving Day, an initiative that encourages members of the public to donate books to children.

The International Book Giving Day website encourages members of the public to ‘give a book to a friend or family member’, ‘leave a book in a waiting room for children to read’, or ‘donate a gently used book to a local library, hospital or shelter or to an organisation that distributes used books to children in need’. A number of Australian authors and illustrators are listed on the website as supporters of the initiative, including Jackie French, Mem Fox, Terry Denton, Andy Griffiths and Joe Ducie. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the Footpath Library are among a number of suggested organisations to support on the day.

Melbourne bookseller The Little Bookroom is taking part in the day, with plans to distribute parcels of books to customer for them to give to others. ‘We’re giving away books for people to give away,’ co-owner Leesa Lambert told Books+Publishing.

Resources that can be printed from the International Book Giving Day website include bookmarks designed by Australian illustrators Marc Martin and Dub Leffler, and book plates designed by Australian author and illustrator Nicky Johnston. Also available to print are book plates designed by US illustrator Todd Parr and Indian illustrator Priya Kuriyan; book plates and a poster designed by UK illustrator Karl Newson; bookmarks designed by UK illustrators Lucy Eves and Tim Budgen; and a poster designed by Hungarian illustrator Mariann Maray.

In a statement published on the Buzz Words website, Australian Children’s Laureate Jackie French supported the initiative, saying people should give a book on Valentine’s Day because: ‘A book lasts longer than a box of chocolates or a bunch of roses. It is calorie free, cholesterol free, guilt free and does not provoke allergic reactions.’ ‘This Valentine’s Day, give books,’ said French.

International Book Giving Day was founded in 2012. For more information, click here.

Category: Local news