Did you  know that there is an International Book Giving Day?  There is and it is quickly coming as it is on February 14th.   Yep, Valentine’s Day.  What better day to get a book into the hands of a child?  I love this idea and had to find out more when my blogger friend Barbara posted about it on her blog at March House Books.

Just look at this great poster designed for the day by Marianne Dubuc.

The concept is pretty simple. Give a book to a child.  Any book. Any child.

Their website located here outlines a bit more of their mission and suggestions for giving books.

International Book Giving Day takes place on 14th February each year. The aim? To get books into the hands of as many children as possible.

14th February is about sharing the love of books! #bookgivingday

International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books.

Most children in developing countries do not own books.
In the United Kingdom, one-third of children do not own books.
In the United States, two-thirds of children living in poverty do not own books.
International Book Giving Day’s focus is on encouraging people worldwide to give a book to a child on February 14th.

We invite individuals to

1) gift a book to a friend or family member,

2) leave a book in a waiting room for children to read

3) donate a gently used book to a local library, hospital or shelter or to an organization that distributes used books to children in need internationally.

So here is YOUR chance to get a book in the hands of a child.  Make it a point to pick out one of your favorites and send or give to a child.  I am going to be sending one to my great niece who LOVES books as much as her mommy and grandma and aunt.  Who knows where another one might show up.  I love the idea of leaving one in a waiting room so that might be something I do as well.

Here are three of my favorite books from when the boys were little.  Do you know them? 

I have included the Amazon links below and if you use one of those links to purchase I might get a few pennies to use towards my own book purchases.

The Hairy Book by Babette Cole

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss with illustrations by Crockett Johnson

Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino with illustrations by Steven Kellogg

So tell me –are you going to participate this year and if so what book will you be giving?  Every comment goes to support our Comments for a Cause this month which is The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. 

Don’t forget to check out the International Book Giving website for free downloadable posters and bookmarks to use for your book giving.