2006 Poster by Peter Cisárik

Every year in celebration of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen the world celebrates International Children’s Book Day. This started back in 1967, by UNESCO IBBY (A non- governmental body ‘The International Board on Books for Young People’). IBBY’s aim is to support the publishing and spread of valuable children’s and juvenile books,

The 2006 host country is The Slovak Republic, and the theme is “The Destiny of Books is Written in the Stars”. You must read the story by host writer Jan Uliciansky who tells of her mothers’ love for reading when she happened at a early age upon a man with a cart of books he was taking to protect from being burned. You can read her short and poignant story at the link below.

Through the love of reading we can introduce the children of the world to a world of understanding and diversity. Reading opens minds to creativity and exploration of the world as we know it and the possibilities that are yet to be imagined.

Give the gift of reading to someone you know, tell them a story, or even donate to your library or local school in honor of Han Christen Andersen and the International Children’s Book Day.


Jan Uliciansky’s (Host Writer) Message to the children of the world (offsite link)

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) (offsite link)