- ChLA International Committee
International Children's Book Day 2022
Join the ChLA International Committee in celebrating International Children's Book Day (ICBD) on April 2nd!
About ICBD
ICBD is a worldwide celebration of reading and children's literature meant to inspire and promote a love of children's books.
History
Every year, on or around Hans
Christian Andersen’s birthday of 2 April,
International Children’s Book Day (ICBD)
is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and
to call attention to children’s books. The
International Board on Books for Young
People (IBBY), an international, non-profit
organization has been sponsoring the event
since 1967.
ICBD 2022
IBBY Canada is delighted to be the official
sponsor of International Children’s Book Day
2022, selecting a theme and designing a poster for IBBY sections around the world to use to promote books and reading.
The theme of Stories are wings that help you soar every day, written by celebrated author Richard Van Camp (Tłıc̨ hǫ) and affectingly illustrated by acclaimed artist Julie Flett (Cree/Métis), beautifully captures the power of children’s books to expand horizons, ignite the imagination and build understanding.
Julie Flett, a Cree-Métis author, illustrator, and artist, has received numerous awards for her work, including a Governor General’s Award, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, and the American Indian Library Association Award. Julie is the author of many books including Birdsong, an American Indian Youth Literature Honor Book and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Title. Her work has been reviewed widely, including in the New York Times, the Globe and Mail, and Publishers Weekly. Twelve of Julie’s books, including Little You written by Richard Van Camp, are featured in the Indigenous Picture Book Collection (2019 and 2021 editions, curated by IBBY Canada) which feature the best Indigenous picture books published in Canada over the past 35 years.
Richard Van Camp is a Tłıc̨ hǫ writer from Fort Smith, NWT. He is the author of 26 books —including many children’s and baby books. In 2014, Richard was announced as a juror for the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature. His finalist nominee was Julie Flett. In 2015, Richard was awarded the R. Ross Arnett Award for Children’s Literature for Little You. His graphic novel, A Blanket of Butterflies (Portage & Main Press), was nominated an Eisner Award. In 2021, Richard was awarded the CODE Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Young Adult Literature for Moccasin Square Gardens (Douglas & McIntye).
Richard’s titles in the first Indigenous Picture Book Collection, curated by IBBY Canada, include two of the Collection’s earliest books: A Man Called Raven (Lee & Low) and What is the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? (Lee & Low) both illustrated by George Littlechild — and two baby books: Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns (Orca Book Publishers) and Little You (Orca Book Publishers), illustrated by Julie Flett.
Message to the Children of the World on International Children's Book Day 2022
Reading is freedom. Reading is breath.
Reading lets you see our world in a new way and it invites you into worlds you never want to leave.
Reading allows your spirit to dream.
They say books are friends for life and I agree.
The perfect universe of you only grows when you read.
Stories are wings that help you soar every day so find the books that speak to your spirit, to your heart, to your mind.
Stories are medicine. They heal. They comfort.
They inspire. They teach.
Bless the storytellers and the readers and listeners.
Bless books. They are medicine for a better, brighter world.
Mahsi cho. Thank you very much.
Written by Richard Van Camp
Poster illustrated by Julie Flett
Listen to Richard Van Camp's Message to the Children of the World for International Children's Book Day 2022 here.
To learn more about the International Committee's relationship with IBBY and our other partnering organizations, visit our Resources Page.
How are you celebrating International Children's Book Day?