April 30th 2022 is the 26th Anniversary of the national year-long literacy initiative Children’s Day, Book Day (CDBD). Every child in the U.S. learns English, and this initiative strives to inspire all our children and their families to be readers.

Twenty-six years ago, I first heard of the Mexican tradition of celebrating April 30th as El día del niño, the Day of the Child. I immediately thought: why don’t we celebrate Children’s Day in our country? AND, let’s link that tradition to reading.

Día, which means day, is sometimes used as a nickname, symbolizing the dailiness of our work. The annual triad: April, Children’s Day, Book Day; May, Mother’s Day; June, Father’s Day.

Children’s Day, Book Day is a collaboration of national, state and local library and literacy organizations, educators, publishers and readers creatively promoting the sharing of bookjoy, the private pleasure of reading—and its importance.

Together, let’s grow a nation of readers, essential in our democracy.

Pat Mora