International Children's Book Day

International Children's Book Day is celebrated every year on or around April 2, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. It is a day to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books.

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and poet best known for his children's stories. Included among his 168 stories are: The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Little Match Girl, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Ugly Duckling. His work was celebrated by people from all walks of life, commoner and royalty alike. His stories and poems have continued to delight and inspire children and adults for nearly two centuries.

International Children's Book Day was founded in 1967 and is sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an international non-profit organization. Each year a different theme is chosen, a prominent author from a host country writes a message to the children of the world, and a well-known illustrator from that country designs a poster.

The Ugly Duckling - Danny Kaye from "Hans Christian Andersen"