World Book Day
We love books, and our friends at UNESCO agree. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization proposed World Book Day as a day of celebrating the joy of reading for enjoyment.
One hundred countries observe World Book Day, and why not?
Children who regularly read for enjoyment have higher test scores, develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge, and a better understanding of other cultures than their non-reading counterparts. Whether you read traditional paperbound books or turn to your Kindle/iPad/whatever, reading’s a passport to this and many other worlds. Support children with such good habits and make sure they gather the right information from what they read online. Scholaroo will help students navigate through research on scholarships as well as guide them towards further education best suited for them.
So celebrate with us on April 23! Here’s how to harness your inner bookworm — and maybe get a free book.
HISTORY OF WORLD BOOK DAY
Reading is a stellar form of entertainment and it requires that you use your imagination rather than simply watching visuals on a screen. There is also something so therapeutic about the actual feel of a book, with its scent of printed pages and glossy covers. Books are a valuable aspect of society but this wasn’t always the case.
When vocabulary and writing were developed thousands of years ago, clay tablets were used. This evolved into parchment and papyrus. The first form of a book was achieved by the Chinese in the 3rd century, although their books consisted of thick pages, made out of bamboo, that was stitched together. By the mid-15th century, the printing press revolutionized books to become what they are today and made them readily accessible to everyone. Thanks to this ingenious invention we are able to enjoy the prose and poetry of countless authors and poets — from Shakespeare and Tolstoy to George R.R. Martin.
World Book Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on April 23, 1995. This date is chosen because it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and prominent Spanish chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
Before this, there were several ideas on when World Book Day should be celebrated. Originally, Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andrés suggested that the day should be on a day that honored the author Miguel de Cervantes. This meant that it could either be on his birthday, on October 7, or the day he died, on April 23. Because the day he died coincided with the date on which William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega had also died, this date was chosen. Surprisingly, there are several other famous authors who also died on April 23, like William Wordsworth and David Halberstam.
Around the world, there are many other dates on which World Book Day takes place. The UK, Sweden, and Ireland all celebrate World Book Day on different dates.
HOW TO CELEBRATE WORLD BOOK DAY 2021
1.Dress like a literary character (Jay Gatsby, anyone?)
Keep it fashionable like in the Fitzgerald novel. Or go outlandish, wearing robes that invoke the spirit of Tolkien or dresses that are Jane Austen-inspired. Bonus points if you can encourage a group of friends or co-workers to join you!
2.Support local booksellers
Neighborhood bookstores bring so much to a community! Don’t have one where you live? Visit your local library and take out as many books as your arms can hold. Oh, make sure you have a library card first.
3.Host a book club
The only thing better than reading a fantastic book is talking about it with other people who love it as much as you do. Celebrate World Book Day by hosting a dinner based on your favorite book or series. It doesn’t have to be just adults either. Imagine your child’s excitement at having a dinner based on their favorite storybook. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle has tons of healthy (and some not-so-healthy) food in it that would make a great dinner.
Or, if you’d prefer, go upscale and create a menu based on foodie fiction like “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” by Fannie Flagg, or Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.”
WHY WE LOVE WORLD BOOK DAY
A. Free books
Many companies will offer free eBooks to download to your device, so be sure to check out the offers and score as many as you can.
In Spain, it’s customary to give books as presents on World Book Day. Kids in the UK receive tokens that they can take to a local bookseller for discounts. Sweden observes World Book Day with writing competitions across schools and colleges.
B. Mass appeal
Hard to believe, but sales of printed books are on the rise in the U.S. — again! Statista reports Americans bought nearly 700 million in 2018 — the most since 2010.
C. Read our lips
Studies show reading for pleasure can reduce cortisol levels, better known to most of us as stress. It also improves memory and brain function. Fiction helps readers step into another person’s shoes and makes us more empathetic. Reading also increases attention span and can help you live longer.
References:
“World Book Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/world-book-day/