International Children's Book Day

International Children's Book Day has been celebrated on 2 April—the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen—ever since 1967. Special attention will be paid to children's book authors, illustrators and, of course, readers. This year's theme is “I am a book, read me”, prepared by the Greek IBBY section. Writer Vagelis Iliopoulos has written a poem with the same title.

I am a book, read me

I am a book.

You are a book.

We are all books.

My soul is the story I tell.

Every book has its own story.

We look different from one another—

some are large, while others are small,

some are colourful, while others are black and white,

some have only a couple of pages,  others are thick—very thick.

We may convey a similar message or one that is completely different—

that is precisely what makes us beautiful.

How boring it would be if we were all alike.

Each of us is unique.

Each of us deserves to be respected,

to be read without prejudice,

to have a place in your library.

You may have an opinion of me.

Questions or comments may arise about what you have read.

You may put me back on the shelf

or keep me in your hands for a very, very long time.

But do not let me be cast away

or moved to another shelf!

Do not try to destroy me and do not allow

anyone else to do so.

And if a book from a stranger's shelf comes to you,

because someone or something has pushed it away,

make room for it. 

It belongs beside you.

Try to feel what it feels.

Understand it. Defend it.

It may happen that tomorrow you find yourself in its place.

Because you, too, are a book.

We are all books.

Let us say it aloud together, so that everyone can hear:

“I am a book, read me!”

(Translated by Māra Cielēna)

In Latvia, the National Library of Latvia invites everyone on this day to read children's books and discover their authors, as well as to share their impressions with others. There are children's books that can be read throughout one's life and reveal something new time and time again!