Celebration International Children's and Youth Book DayThe event, which takes place every April 2nd, arrives this year loaded with proposals in libraries, museums, universities and streets of various Spanish citiesFrom Andalusia to Madrid, including initiatives in rural areas, the program combines recreational and educational activities designed to bring children, young people, families and reading mediators closer to books in a friendly and participatory way.
Many of these actions are aimed at the classics of children's literature -What Hans Christian Andersen or Carlo Collodi– but without losing sight of current challenges: how to foster a love of reading in the age of screens, how to integrate reading into everyday life, or how to ensure that all children have access to books, also in rural areas or in contexts where culture is more difficult to access.
University conferences in Cádiz: Pinocchio and the legacy of Carlo Collodi
La Cadiz University joins in the commemoration with the II International Conference on Children's and Young Adult Book Day, which will be held on April 7 in the Alicia Plaza Conference Room from the Faculty of Education Sciences, on the Puerto Real Campus. The event is promoted by the research groups INEDLL y Telos, in collaboration with the International Network of Reading Universities (RIUL), and is conceived as a space for academic and educational reflection on literature for children and young people.
This year, the conference revolves around the bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Collodi (1826-2026), the creator of The Adventures of PinocchioStarting with this character, the aim is to analyze his ethical, pedagogical and symbolic validityas well as its presence in contemporary rewrites and adaptations. The aim is to explore why Pinocchio continues to resonate with new generations and what lessons can be learned from his story in the current context.
The meeting is aimed at university and other teaching staff, research staff, reading mediators, education students and anyone interested in children's and young adult literature. The program combines conferences, a round table and a participatory workshopTherefore, it is not limited to theoretical exposition, but seeks the exchange of experiences and resources for the classroom and other spaces of reading mediation.
The institutional opening will be carried out by Lucía Pilar Cancelas y Ester Trigo IbáñezBoth from the University of Cádiz, will provide context for the day and the anniversary dedicated to Collodi. Following this, the writer Gustavo Martín Garzo, National Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature, will give the opening lecture on the literary and symbolic permanence of Pinocchio and its ability to continue engaging children and young people in the 21st century.
The academic program will continue with the participation of Paula Rivera (University of Cádiz), which will address the figure of Pinocchio from the creative and pedagogical perspective of Gianni Rodarianalyzing how the Italian author's proposals expand the character's educational possibilities. After a break, the discussion will continue. Santiago Yubero, director of the Center for Studies on the Promotion of Reading and Children's Literature at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, who will delve deeper into the educational value of Pinocchio as a tool for the ethical and emotional development of children.
One of the central moments will be the round table Is Pinocchio a good role model today?, in which they will participate Michel Santiago del Pino (University of Cadiz), pablo moreno (IES Ciudad de Hércules) and Gema Garcia (Cadiz Provincial Public Library). This debate will allow us to question the role of the figure as a current reference, assess his strengths and weaknesses, and study how he is used in schools and libraries. The day will conclude with the participatory workshop What would happen if…?, coordinated by Pilar Calderón y Rocío Maraver, dedicated to creativity and the construction of stories based on lies as a literary resource.
Libraries and museums in Andalusia: a full month of activities
Beyond the university sphere, the network of public libraries and museums of AndalusiaThe department, which reports to the Ministry of Culture and Sport, has designed a program for April. extensive program for International Children's Book DayWorkshops, storytelling, theater, bibliographic exhibitions and inclusive proposals have been planned in different provinces, with the intention of bringing reading closer to children, adolescents and their families from very diverse contexts.
The anniversary, linked to birth of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen -author of such well-known titles as The ugly Duckling, The Tin Soldier o The little Mermaid-, serves as a common thread in a program that combines play and imagination with work on heritage and literary memory. The Andalusian Regional Government insists that the goal is to promote reading habits from an early age.using participatory activities that are attractive to children and young people.
En CadizThe programming starts on April 1 with the inauguration in the Provincial Library of a exhibition dedicated to PinocchioTaking advantage of the bicentenary of Collodi's birth. The exhibition, which includes a reading guide, will be open until April 30 and is complemented by a creative crafts workshop about the characterIn addition, there is the possibility of discovering the most Cadiz-style Pinocchio through a puppet from the Aunt Norica collection exposed in the Cadiz Museum, as an example of how the character became integrated into the city's puppet theater tradition.
En Granada, The Granada Library It will offer, between April 1st and 30th, a selection of works aimed at children and young people. April 6, The Library of Andalusia has organized the oral storytelling activity 'Watch out, loose books!'Designed for the whole family to enjoy stories told aloud. Archaeological Museum of Granada will host the April 7 A round table discussion focused on how stories can become a tool to bring Archaeology closer to a younger audience.
The Granada program is rounded out with offerings such as the journey to Prehistory proposed by Almeria Museum el April 10, based on the story Dare to travel to Prehistory, included in the collection 'Tell me about a Museum'. For its part, Alhambra of Granada has prepared for the days 11 y 18 de abril of the literary walks inspired by the story 'Burak, the donkey who dreamed of the Alhambra', which combine heritage tours and stories set in the monumental complex.
In the province of Malaga, The Provincial Library will present from the 6 until April's 18 a Bibliographic exhibition featuring new releases in children's and young adult literatureIn addition to this, Malaga Museum, that he April 2 will reveal the story 'The Lady Who Lost Her Head'Inspired by a Roman female sculpture from his collection. Antequera, the Dolmens Archaeological Site has organized for him April 16 the children's workshop 'Kitchen of Words', focused on creation of oral tradition stories for the little ones.
En Jaen, The Provincial Library will host the April 6 a theatrical performance of The ugly Duckling, by the Small Clowns company, with two performances scheduled. The offering is completed on April 16 and a children's storytelling session by the narrator Blas Rueda. Meanwhile, the Jaén Museum will launch from the April 1 the family workshop 'A great journey'which invites visitors to unite art and folklore through a story developed about its collection, and will remain open until the April 30 the featured piece 'Goddess of wisdom and the arts'a bust of Minerva included in the initiative 'A museum for everyone', with links to social action projects.
Storytelling, workshops and family films at local libraries
At the local level, various municipal libraries have prepared specific programs for Children's and Young Adult Book Daywith activities designed for family enjoyment. In the María Teresa León LibraryFor example, it will be held on March 31 Tuesday un Interactive storytelling with clay workshop around the classic of Little Red Riding Hood, as part of the events for International Children's Book Day 2026.
The dynamic involves a slight twist: instead of starting by telling the story, the children are asked to... first create the characters with modeling clayParticipants will create models of Little Red Riding Hood and her basket, the wolf, the grandmother, and the woodcutter, and then link these figures to the story. This aims to stimulate... creativity, concentration, and patienceWorking on attention to detail and promoting a calm space, since playing with plasticine is considered relaxing and useful for relieving stress.
The activity will start at 12 pm and will last for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. It is geared towards children aged 3 and 10 yearsChildren aged 3 to 5 must be accompanied by an adult. To ensure adequate care, the following measures have been established: 15 places which will be awarded in order of prior registration.
To participate, you need to have library card and formalize the Registration at the library itself from March 20thWith these types of proposals, the aim is to make a visit to the library a fun experience, in which Reading is associated with play, creativity, and socialization.and not just to studying.
In Maceda LibraryThe commemoration of International Children's Book Day, which is celebrated on April 2It extends over several days. April 1 At 11:30 a.m. a seed bomb workshopwhich combines environmental learning and contact with nature. On the 2nd, the library will offer a film session with two screenings: at 18:00 pm there will be a showing The GruffaloAimed at the youngest children, it will be shown at 19:00 pm jump!Recommended for over 8 years.
Children's and young adult literature takes to the streets: an exhibition in Madrid
In the Community of Madrid, the Publishers Association of Madrid, through its Commission of Children's and Young Adult Book Publishers[Organization Name] has launched an open-air exhibition to mark International Children's Book Day. The exhibition brings together [items/items/etc.] more than 60 posters from the 'Books to the Street' campaign dedicated specifically to children's and young adult literature, which can be visited in the outdoor space located between Casa del Lector and the Matadero square, in the Madrid Río area.
The aim of this exhibition is Remember the importance of introducing books to young children and to champion the role of reading in building a society that protects play, imagination, and talent. Among the authors represented are names very well-known to young readers, such as Begoña Oro, Jordi Sierra i Fabra, Mónica Rodríguez, Nando López, Pedro Mañas, Francisco Ibáñez, Gloria Fuertes, Quino, Ledicia Costas, Rafael Salmerón, Beatriz Giménez de Ory, Manuel Marsol, Roberto Santiago, Laura Gallego, José Antonio Cotrina or Elia Barceló, Among many others.
The exhibition is framed within the theme of International Children's Book Day 2026, “Cultivate stories and the world will flourish”It invites visitors to stroll, look around, read, and let their imaginations be sparked by the texts and illustrations. The initiative is aimed at both young people as well as adultsand will run from March 19 to June 17, offering ample time for both residents and visitors to discover it.
This exhibition is part of the campaign 'Books to the Street', which for almost 30 years has been bringing fragments of literary works to public transport in the Community of Madrid -subway, city and intercity buses- with the aim of sparking a love of reading and accompanying daily commutes with short reads. Children's and young adult literature occupies a significant place in this initiative, as it is specifically aimed at those They are taking their first steps as readers.
Government institutional statement: reading as a right and a democratic tool
Coinciding with the celebration of International Children's Book Day, the Council of Ministers has approved a institutional statement in which it emphasizes the importance of reading among children and young people and links it to the building of democratic societies. The text, signed by the ministers of Youth and Childhood (Sira Rego), Culture (Ernest Urtasun) and Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (José Manuel Albares), emphasizes access to culture as a way to promote critical thinking.
The statement highlights that access to reading contributes to protect emotional well-being and to strengthen the right of children and young people to develop in environments that favor their mental health and autonomyIt is noted that Promoting reading at these ages means committing to a more critical, egalitarian, and democratic societyand that reading does not imply isolating oneself from the world, but relating to it in a more conscious, profound and free way.
The institutional text also recognizes the role of children and young people as active cultural subjectsnot only as recipients of content. Hence the emphasis on the need to open real spaces for participationto listen to their voices and guarantee their right to express themselves creatively. Minister Sira Rego has defended reading as a basic right for personal development, which allows children and adolescents to broaden their horizons of being, thinking and acting.
Tributes to Hans Christian Andersen and its connection to inclusion
The figure of Hans Christian AndersenThe author, whose birthdate coincides with International Children's Book Day, also features in specific events in some cities. Alcazaba cultural centerfor example the Juan Pablo Forner Municipal Library has organized a tribute in which educational centers will meet to explore the life and work of the Danish author. The activity will include the screening of a biographical video and a storytelling session. which will recover stories like The ugly Duckling, The little Mermaid o The queen of the snow, which have influenced generations of readers.
Alongside this tribute, the municipal library, together with the publishing house De la Luna Libros, has scheduled the presentation of the theatrical text 'Emily Dickinson. Love Like Trees', Marino González Montero, with the participation of the actress Ana garcíaAlthough it is a proposal aimed at a more adult audience, it fits into the context of the literary activities of these days, showing how Cultural programming focused on children's and young adult books can coexist with other initiatives related to poetry or theater.
The coincidence of International Children's Book Day with the World Autism Awareness DayThe April 2nd event has also led to the incorporation of inclusive activities. Granadafor example the Provincial Library has prepared for the April 10 un meeting about the power of reading and writing as connection tools, led by writer David Gómez, designed to focus on accessibility and diversity.
El Museum of Fine Arts of Granada has organized for him April 8 un art therapy workshop Aimed at members of the Granada Association for Asperger's Syndrome/ASD, the program includes an adapted tour of the permanent collection followed by an artistic expression session. These activities link reading, art, and mental health, reinforcing the idea that Culture should be accessible to everyone.regardless of their abilities or circumstances.
Children's and young adult reading in rural areas: #TownsThatTell
The commemorations are not limited to large cities or provincial capitals. The initiative #TownsThatMatter, driven by the Planet Group, has brought children's and young adult literature to municipality of Libros (Teruel), a village of just over one hundred inhabitants that has become a symbol of cultural revitalization after gathering some 60.000 books donated from all over Spain to create its library.
In this second edition of the project, held in the prelude to World Children's Book Day, have participated around 150 children from three schools in the province of Teruelwho have had the opportunity to meet some of their favorite authors in person. The day transformed the town square into a small book fair, with stalls, workshops, and book signings, giving rural schoolchildren a reading experience similar to that found at urban events.
Among the guests was the writer Susanna Isern, author of the saga 'Magic Animals', and the creative team of 'Ana Kadabra', created by the illustrator David Sierra and the writer Pedro ManasThroughout the day, children approached to ask for signatures and drawings, but also to share ideas, characters, and plots they would like to see in future stories. The authors have noted that these meetings help them break out of the isolation of writing. and return to work with renewed creativity.
Susanna Isern herself insisted on the need to adapting books to new realitiesso that they are attractive enough for children to "forget about screens for a while." The participating children summarized the reasons why they like to read: because it entertains them, makes them happy, reduces their stress, relaxes them, and allows them to disconnect from everyday reality for a moment. The #PueblosQueCuentan initiative thus reinforces the idea that Access to reading should not depend on place of residence.
With all these programs—from university conferences focused on Pinocchio to activities in Andalusian libraries and museums, the Madrid exhibition "Books to the Street," tributes to Andersen, and rural projects like #VillagesThatTellStories—International Children's Book Day is establishing itself as an event that goes far beyond a symbolic date on the calendar. The sum of these initiatives reveals an ecosystem in which institutions, publishers, schools, and reading promoters collaborate to to focus on childhood and youth as protagonists of cultural lifeoffering spaces to read, listen, create their own stories and, ultimately, strengthen the link between books and the daily experience of those who are beginning to build their view of the world.
