14th February 2018 marks the 7th International Book Giving Day.

It’s a chance to get books into the hands of as many children as possible.

The run up to the day itself has, this year, been an absolute whirlwind of bookish love. Children’s illustrator Elys Dolan designed the official poster for 2018. It is heart thumpingly wonderful, and I can’t thank her enough.

Already stories of #BookGivingDay have been pouring in. Sarah Broadley, a My Book Corner reviewer, put a call out to SCBWI authors and illustrators… and before she knew it she had over 100 books. Where were they going? To The Royal Hospital For Sick Children In Edinburgh.

Meredith Vigh has had amazing success in getting her local school’s library up and running – it seems #BookGivingDay is inspiring people to do amazing things. I couldn’t be happier.

Events are happening in Italy, New Zealand, Holland, Texas, LOTS going on in Greece, Sri Lanka, Serbia and Australia – and these are just the ones I’ve been contacted about over the last few days. The former Australian Children’s Laureate Jackie French, has been a long time supporter of #BookGivingDay, this year even her wombats are getting involved…

Book Giving Day now spread to the Araluen Valley where the wombats are looking forward to a book to read on Tuesday. Or to chew, if they don’t like it.

— Jackie French (@jackie_french_) February 11, 2018

What will you be doing today?

Why don’t you grab one of Elys Dolan’s bookmarks or bookplates from here, tuck them into a couple of books then leave those books somewhere for little hands to find.

We’ll be popping them in atop slides and swings in local parks, in bus stops and waiting rooms. And we can’t wait!!