Today, April 2, is International Children's Book Day, which has been celebrated around the world since 1967. This day was chosen as a tribute to the writer Hans Christian Andersen, choosing the day of his birth. Andersen is a Danish author famous for his children's stories, including The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid, both stories adapted for the big screen by Disney. This day is celebrated in order to foster a love for books and draw the attention of the community to children's books.
Every year, a country has the opportunity to be the sponsor of the International Children's Book Day. The selected country is in charge of choosing a theme and inviting an author from the country to write a message for children from all over the world and an illustrator to make a design. The illustration along with the message are used, both today and later, to promote books and reading. This year, the country in charge of organizing the event is Brazil, although all countries come together to hold different events in order to promote reading among the youngest. These celebrations are joined by various special events such as meetings with authors and illustrators, contests or prizes for books already published.
Children's literature is one of the most important aspects that collaborate with the development of the little ones. It is at those ages when you have to start fostering a love for literature and that is why children's literature is considered a key factor in learning, because it helps the human being grow as a person, teaches us and broadens our horizons and our creativity. Thanks to children's literature the little ones broaden your desire for knowledge and innovation, which will mean an optimistic and hopeful future.
It is for this reason that the value of children's literature should not be discredited. Many adults may no longer enjoy it as much when looking for more complex and knowledge-filled texts, which may be normal because, as I mentioned earlier, literature broadens our desire for knowledge and we are increasing the complexity and trying other types of literature to broaden our horizons and become wiser people. However, children's literature is a perfect first contact for the little ones, teaching them to discover new worlds. It is in these fantasy books, with fables starring animals and thousands of versions of classic stories accompanied by their respective morals, where the little ones discover the magic and importance of literature.
Also, on April 2 They also fight for the right of access to literature for all children. Due to the large number of crises and refugees, in addition to the problems that exist in the third world, the right to learning and culture is very limited in some places, and it is for them that today, International Book Day Children, we must also fight for the right that we should all have to literature, a source of knowledge and creativity.
From Spain various activities are carried out for this special day. On the website of "Spanish organization for children's and youth books”, Abbreviated Oepli, You can find what activities are carried out near your houses. Do not hesitate to enter and select your autonomous community (later they appear divided by cities) to know what events are scheduled for today.
Finally, I once again emphasize that we must not forget the importance of children's literature, since it is where the journey through literature begins, where the little ones learn values as important as love, respect, friendship, honesty, collaboration, trust ... In children's books we can find a great source of wisdom that can even surprise the oldest. Using an example, surely many of you have read The Little Prince When you were younger and, as you grew up and read it again, you have found many surprises that once went unnoticed. Sometimes children's literature hides much more than meets the eye.