Celebrating World Book Night!

This year, I participated in World Book Night by handing out books at the baseball complex where my sons play. Since the book I received to giveaway was Money Ball, it was the prefect fit. It was good to see the excitement in the boys faces when I gave them a free book, particularly those who don't own many books.

I forget sometimes that there are those children who don't have easy access to books - either because of finances to purchase or transportation to go to the library - because my own sons have e-readers as well as the occasional paperback purchase from the local Barnes & Noble. So handing out books to people who might not normally read was impactful as I hoped with each one that I would inspire new readers through my simple gesture.

WHAT IS WORLD BOOK NIGHT?
World Book Night is an annual celebration dedicated to spreading the love of reading, person to person. Each year on April 23, tens of thousands of people go out into their communities and give half a million free World Book Night paperbacks to light and non-readers. In 2013, World Book Night will be celebrated in the U.S., the UK, and Ireland.
World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: It’s about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways— through the sharing of stories.

World Book Night is a nonprofit organization. We exist because of the support of thousands of book givers, booksellers, librarians, and financial supporters who believe in our mission. Set for April 23 each year to honor Shakespeare’s birthday, World Book Night was successfully launched in the U.K. in 2011, and World Book Night was first celebrated in the U.S. in 2012. Thank you to our U.K. friends for such a wonderful idea! 

WHY IS WORLD BOOK NIGHT IMPORTANT?
Why does World Book Night exist? Reading for pleasure improves literacy, actively engaging emerging readers in their desire to read. Reading changes lives, improves employability, social interaction, enfranchisement, and can have a positive effect on mental health and happiness. Book readers of all ages are more likely to participate in positive activities such as volunteering, attending cultural events, and even physical exercise. 

Or more simply put, books are fun—and they can be life-changing. 

World Book Night U.S.
Spreading the love of reading, person to person.
If you'd like to be a bookgiver next year, go to www.WorldBookNight.org.