Children’s Day, Book Day/El día de los niños, Día de los libros (commonly known as Día) is the annual celebration of bookjoy created by children’s book author Pat Mora. The nationally recognized initiative emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children, from all backgrounds and creatively links them to the gift of reading.
While festivities often culminate yearly on April 30, Día reminds us to celebrate children, families, and reading every day.
Here’s an abridged checklist from the Día Celebration Planning Guide to help you join in on the Día festivities happening nationwide!
- Review your book collections and evaluate for diversity and inclusion. Visit the First Book Marketplace to add a few special new titles to your library, or to give away to kids.
- Finalize program, speakers, performers, class performances, and special guests such as local officials, parents, and celebrities.
- Outline the publicity and media campaign including social media outlets, fliers, PSAs, etc. to ensure a great turnout!
- Order craft supplies, refreshments, and decorations.
- Confirm volunteers for the day of your event.
- Remember to post your Día events on the American Library Association website!
- Review the criteria for the Estela & Raúl Mora Award so you’ll be ready to apply on May 1st!
Events can be large or small, so there’s still plenty of time to make your celebration special. Jump start your celebration with the First Book Time Saver.
Find the full Día Celebration Planning Guide, a wide selection of awesome books, and FREE accompanying reading guides in the Celebrate Dia section of the First Book Marketplace.