Celebrating International Children's Book Day: Cultivating a Love of Reading from Childhood

Reading is freedom. Reading is breathing. Reading lets us see the world in a different way and invites us to worlds we never want to leave. Reading allows our minds to dream. They say that books are friends for life, and I agree. Our perfect universe only grows when we read. Stories are wings that help us glide every day, so choose books that speak to your spirit, your heart, your mind. Stories are medicine. They heal. They comfort. They inspire. They teach. Blessed are the storytellers and the readers and the listeners. Blessed are the books. They are the medicine for a better and brighter world. Mahsi cho. Thank you very much.

Text by Richard Van Camp (translated by Maria Carlos Loureiro)

On April 2nd, we celebrate the birth of the renowned Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) all over the world, and it is also on this day that we celebrate International Children's Book Day . This special date highlights not only Andersen's life and work, but also highlights the importance of reading in childhood and pays tribute to all the authors who have enchanted generations of children around the world with their stories.

What is Children's Literature?

Children's literature is what makes children dream, imagine and explore new horizons. It is everything that captivates them, regardless of whether it was written specifically for them. As Kayser (2010) said, "children decide what children's literature is; if a book that is not intended for children is read with pleasure by them, then it is considered children's literature" (p. 34). This perspective places the child reader at the center of the book selection process, recognizing their voice and preferences as key elements in defining what children's literature is.

The Importance of Literature for Children

Literature plays a fundamental role in children’s development , offering them enriching experiences that contribute to their personal and social development. Through reading, children have the opportunity to explore the world around them, build positive self-esteem, develop empathy and curiosity for life. In addition, literature stimulates creativity, enriches vocabulary and promotes skills such as memory, attention and comprehension.

Family reading is a particularly valuable practice, strengthening the emotional bond between parents and children and creating precious memories that will last a lifetime. It is important to make reading a pleasant and relaxed time, taking advantage of different opportunities throughout the day to share stories and explore books together.

How to Encourage Reading

To encourage children to read , it is essential that they see adults around them reading and valuing books. It is also important to provide them with access to a variety of books and reading resources, whether through visits to municipal or school libraries or by creating a library at home. Creating an environment rich in books and literary stimuli helps to cultivate the habit of reading from an early age.

In addition to reading regularly with children, you can also promote playful activities related to books, such as asking questions about the pictures, creating discovery games, illustrating passages from the story or acting out scenes with puppets and masks. These activities not only make reading more fun and engaging, but they also stimulate children's cognitive and creative development.

It is important to highlight that there are valuable resources, such as the PNL Catalogue (National Reading Plan) . This catalogue is an essential tool for you, who demonstrate an interest and dedication to the world of books and reading for little ones. It provides you with a flexible access and search experience, providing bibliographic descriptions and concise synopses of each selected work. Within this catalogue, you will find a wide range of books, covering all age groups and exploring a variety of themes, while at the same time guiding you on the adaptation of reading to your level of proficiency.

International Children’s Book Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of reading in childhood and to reaffirm our commitment to cultivating a love of books from the earliest years of life. By providing children with enriching experiences with literature, we are investing in their personal, emotional and intellectual growth, preparing them to face the challenges of the world with wisdom and imagination.

References:

• Bad - Portuguese Association of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists

• Juliana Pimentel, "Children's Literature: Perspectives and Practices in Reader Training", University of Aveiro, 2018.

• Lusíadas Almada Clinic. Importance of Reading in Childhood.

• NLP Catalog