The date of April 2 — International Children's Book Day — was chosen to celebrate children's literature and honor the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, one of the main names in world literature, author, for example, of works such as The Little Mermaid.
In order to wake up the love of reading, on that date, the children's book, its authors and readers are honored. This date is ideal for reading or rereading consecrated works, such as the little black doll, The Emperor's New Clothes, Bintou's braids, Laura's intimate life, among many others.
See too: April 18 – National Children's Book Day
Why is International Children's Book Day celebrated on April 2nd?
International Children's Book Day is celebrated on April 2nd because this is the day of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen's birthday. Thus, since 1967, the International Council on Literature for Young People (IBBY, acronym for International Board on Books for Young People), with the aim of awakening the love of reading, celebrates children's books.
Each year, a country is chosen to be the sponsor of the International Children's Book Day. This country chooses a theme and an important author or author to write a message. In addition, a renowned illustrator or illustrator is also chosen (a) to make a poster. O Brazil was the sponsor of the International Children's Book Day in 2003 and 2016.
In 2003, the message was written by the author Ana Maria Machado, with the theme “The world in an enchanted network”. The poster was made by the illustrator Rafael Fabrice Yockteng Benalcázar. In 2016, the message was authored by the writer Luciana Sandroni, with the theme “Once upon a time”, and the poster was made by the illustrator and writer Ziraldo.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
What is celebrated on International Children's Book Day?
On April 2nd, the birthday of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, considered one of the biggest names in children's literature worldwide. Because this writer is an international symbol of this type of literature, he is a representative figure of this art. Therefore, on that day, everything that involves this children's literary universe is celebrated: authors, readers, works, fairy tale and fables.
Every year, on this date, nations around the world are encouraged to hold events for celebrate the children's book, as such actions can arouse children's interest in reading. In this way, schools, publishers, public libraries and government agencies are inspired to celebrate this day when children's literature is highlighted.
Read too: story from fairy tales
Who was Hans Christian Andersen?
The writer Hans Christian Andersen born in Denmark on April 2, 1805. His father was a shoemaker; his mother, laundress. Andersen was encouraged by his father, from childhood, to have had literary works. Thus, the love for books was decisive in the author's future choices.
When he lost his father in 1816, he had to work in factories, where he used to tell stories and singing to his colleagues, which caused him to lose his job at two factories where he worked. At 14, he decided to be a singer and actor, but was unsuccessful.
In 1828, he started to devote himself to literature, influenced by Romanticism. Andersen has written numerous books. enter your construction, they are:
- the snow queen
- The Little Mermaid
- the red shoes
- the toy soldier
- The ugly duck
- The little match seller
- The princess and the pea
- the little thumb
Died on August 4, 1875, but became immortal due to his work. In his honor, the International Children's Book Day and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Since 1956, every two years, writers and illustrators of children's literature have been awarded the Hans Christian Andersen medal.
Read too: Short story – a genre very present in children's literature
Five Children's Books You Must Know
In order to celebrate children's literature, here are five books you need to know about.
The Emperor's New Clothes
The book The Emperor's New Clothes, a classic of world children's literature, written by the Dane Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), tells the story of an emperor who loved new clothes. One day, two crooks arrived in his kingdom, promising to make a unique outfit.
The emperor, then, wanted to have this very special outfit, but there was a small problem: she became invisible for fools or for those who occupied positions for which they were unprepared. This made everyone want to see the emperor's new clothes.
the little black doll
The book the little black doll, by the writer from Minas Gerais Alaíde Lisboa de Oliveira (1904-2006), was first published in 1938. This work of Brazilian children's literature is considered a national classic of its kind. The book tells the story of Mariazinha and her little black doll.
The girl and the little doll were inseparable friends, but one day, the little doll was alone in the house, heard meows outside, went to the window and fell. So, she ended up living a little adventure, far from Mariazinha, whom she missed.
Laura's intimate life
In the book Laura's intimate life, by the Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector (1920-1977), the storyteller, which dialogues directly with the child-reader, proposes to tell the intimate life of the hen Laura, who was nice, lived in the backyard of Dona Luísa and was married to the rooster Luís. Laura was the hen that laid the most eggs in the chicken coop.
Chicken Laura had an ugly neck, but she had inner beauty. She thought she was thinking, but she didn't think about anything, she was a dumb chicken. She almost never had feelings. She ate too much, out of sheer craze, and she was very scared of people because she didn't want to die. Eventually Laura started laying few eggs and got old.
either this or that
The book either this or that, from the writer from Rio de Janeiro Cecília Meireles (1901-1964), is considered a classic of national children's literature in the poetry genre. It was first published in 1964 and features poems with themes aimed at children.
Below is the poem that gives the title to the book:
either this or that
Or if there is rain and no sun,
or if there is sun and no rain!
Or if you put on the glove and don't wear the ring,
or you put the ring on and don't put the glove on!
Whoever goes up in the air doesn't stay on the ground,
Whoever stays on the ground does not go up in the air.
It's a great pity that you can't
to be in two places at the same time!
Or I keep the money and don't buy the candy,
or I buy the candy and spend the money.
Either this or that: either this or that...
and I live choosing all day long!
I don't know if I play, I don't know if I study,
if I run away or stay calm.
But I still can't understand
which is better: whether it is this or that.
Bintou's braids
In Bintou's braids, by the French writer Sylvane A. Diouf, the character Bintou wanted to have long braids just like the girls from the African village where she lived. But, according to tradition, represented in the figure of her grandmother, girls could not have braids, only birotes (buns). Then, one day, Bintou helped save two drowning boys. After this heroic act, she had the chance to fulfill her big dream.
by Warley Souza
Literature teacher
