BOOKS are doorways for children to fantastical worlds, where they can learn lessons about kindness, courage and compassion.
Every book is a whole new world waiting to be discovered.Reading, however, is more than just tales of bravery, hopes and dreams.
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It boosts children’s confidence, broadens their vocabulary, supports healthy brain development and can help them cope with stress and anxiety.
Reading has so many benefits and The Read Institute is encouraging all South Africans – big and small – to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, 4 March.
This much-loved annual event sends a powerful message about books and reading, and with socialising still not entirely allowed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the enforced alone time brought about by lockdown gives everyone the perfect opportunity to open a book or two.
Curious to know where, how, and why World Book Day originated? Read on!
This auspicious event hails from Spain where writer Vicente Clavel Andres wanted to honour author Miguel de Cervantes (best known for his novel Don Quixote) on his birthday and the anniversary of his death.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation heard of World Book Day, adopted the idea and spread it worldwide, with the first commemorative day taking place on 23 April, 1995.
Today, World Book Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries and is a day dedicated to indulging in a love of books, as well as for people of all ages to gain access to books.
The Read Institute is built on the foundation of READ Educational Trust, a proudly South African NGO that has, since its inception in 1979, worked tirelessly to train teachers and offer school resource provisioning while actively promoting literacy through successful programmes.
This year, The Read Institute is spreading the message that reading is fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has the power to transform lives.
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