A Compelling Case for Literacy: M. G. Lorraine Offers 5 Brights Spots That Offer Hope for Early Readers
- MG Lorraine
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
In a time focused on encouraging literacy and a thirst for reading in every child, it seems refreshing to celebrate International Children's Book Day. How many budding writers start creating stories, characters, cartoons, or some type of creative writing before they can even spell? Is just born innately in children as they grow or is it developed with creative play and nurtured with the stories from childhood storybooks?
International Board of Books for Young People Hosts Annual Event
International Children's Book Day | April 2, 2025
Every year a national section of this collection of like minded people sponsors International Book Day and supports its publicity. This year "IBBY-Netherlands is honored to be an official sponsor of ICBD 2025, with the inspiring theme: The freedom of imagination Ready to celebrate?" Read more here! Download the ICBD 2025 poster and flyer" says the IBBY website. Make sure to share plans, events and pictures of how you choose to celebrate on social media using #ICBD2025!
Being able to read - not just passively, but with high confidence - is a major keys to success. Children and grown-ups that cannot read or struggle read well have their opportunities diminished and their possibilities disappear. There are many children who do not have access to early readers or children's books in their home; these friends miss out on being read to from the time they're born, which statistics show gives them a drastic set back from their peers. Often these children miss out on weekly trips to the library and the ability to borrow their favorite stories, too.
The shutdown of schools and the transition to e-learning environments during the COVID pandemic left many children further behind. Children who were already struggling to develop reading skills or already in failing territory were left completely behind their peers due to the lack of classroom time or one-on-one support from the teachers who were already overwhelmed. This lack of classroom time along with the children who never returned to the school setting left many at high risk of failing literacy altogether; the possibilities for their future lost in the balance.
While the struggle for literacy in the next generations for many may be grim, we do know that early readers and children's books are a foundation to literacy success.
Literary Bright Spots Offer Hope for Little Readers
1. “Little Free libraries” are popping up everywhere. For a kid without books or just doesn't have enough little free libraries are a huge opportunity. These were founded to inspire readers and to expand book access; the success of which is staggering. Friends and neighbors build tiny libraries on the front of their properties with easy access and fill them with books. Anyone can borrow a book or keep a book or you can drop off books you have already read or no longer need. They are tendered by the property owner and cared for as they can. Look them up! They are literally popping up everywhere. www.littlefreelibrary.org
2. The next bright spot is a resurgence of bookstores! Globally, new book stores can be seen popping up; combined in new ways like themes, specific genres, bakeries and coffee shops, hidden underground old tunnels, antique buildings, and all kinds of places to make them unique and fun. The fact that they are becoming trendy again are a high spot in the story of literacy, especially for children. These niches offer the chance to stop at every bookstore just see what is there. If you share the same passion for reading, you can connect with them through: www.bookshop.org!
3. Bookstagrammers, Booktok, bloggers and other web and social media platforms are expanding the reach of bookstores and authors every day! You can now follow your favorite local bookstores, national chains as well as your favorite authors and connect with them on a more personal level than ever before.
[if you haven't already, make sure to follow us in all the social places, too!]
4. Reading groups - both in person and on social media - are making a comeback. You can connect: https://bookclubs.com and https://www.greatbooks.org/book-groups
5. More children's books have been written than ever before since indie authors have come into the market. More books, more family time! Books of readers of all ages and a huge variety allows for more diversification and engagement. A win for all!
I am encouraged by the efforts everywhere to prioritize the literacy of every child. Love of reading starts with children being read to in the home and there are many examples of individuals stepping up to fill the gap.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a program that aims to make sure that children have books in their home. This program spans areas not just in the United States, but also in Canada, The United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. This organization gifts books - free of charge - to children from zero to the age of 5. Find out more about supporting this charity or enrolling a child on the website!
You can celebrate International Children's Book Day in several ways, too! Get a child a book, read your favorite childhood book to a child or classroom, donate a book to an organization that works to support children's access to books or in any other manner you can! Alone or with your favorite cup of coffee, grab a children's book and see to it it is appreciated. It's always a great day to read your favorite children's book.
Until next time,
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