The February 14th Tradition You May Not Know—International Book Giving Day
You know what's competing with Valentine's Day every February 14th? A quieter, but equally heartwarming celebration called International Book Giving Day. And if you've never heard of it, you're not alone—let's discover this beautiful tradition.
The Simple Idea Behind International Book Giving Day
In 2012, children's book author Amy Broadmoore started something refreshingly uncomplicated: a day where people around the world give books to children. No fundraising goals, no organization to join, no complicated sign-up process. Just the simple act of connecting a child with a book they can call their own.
It's grassroots, it's global, and it's surprisingly easy to be part of.
Why Books Matter
We all know screen time is winning the battle for our kids' attention. But here's what research consistently shows: children who grow up with books at home have better vocabularies, stronger reading comprehension, and improved academic outcomes. For kids in that crucial 5-12 age range, regular exposure to books does more than teach reading mechanics. It opens windows to different cultures, helps them process emotions, builds empathy, and shows them that their own stories and experiences matter. When a child owns books they can return to again and again, reading transforms from a school assignment into a personal adventure.
The challenge? Not every child has access to books at home. Some families can't afford them. Some communities lack bookstores or well-stocked libraries. And while schools do their best, many classroom libraries are stretched thin.
That's where Book Giving Day comes in. One book might seem small, but to a child who rarely gets to choose their own reading material, it can be genuinely meaningful.
Ways to Participate
The wonderful thing about International Book Giving Day is that participation can be as simple or as ambitious as you'd like. Here are some meaningful ways to get involved:
At home: Take stock of your children's bookshelves together. Are there books they've outgrown but are still in good condition? Let your kids help select titles to pass along to younger readers.
Organize a book exchange. Organize a book swap with neighbors or friends, where families bring gently used books and everyone goes home with something new-to-them.
Buy with intention. If you're picking up new books, consider getting an extra copy or two to give away. Your kids can help choose titles they think other children would enjoy—and they're often better judges of what's actually appealing than we are. Visit these awesome bookstores or find one near you.
In your community: Leave a book on a park bench, in a doctor's waiting room, or at a community center with a note saying "This book is for you!"
Through schools and libraries: Many schools and public libraries welcome book donations year-round. February 14th is an ideal time to drop off a few extras. Some schools organize "book drives" specifically for this day, collecting donations to distribute to classrooms that need them most.
Join an organized book drive. Several national and local organizations coordinate book drives specifically year round. Groups like Bernie's Book Bank, Books for Africa, and local literacy nonprofits collect gently used books and distribute them to schools and underserved communities. Many will even provide collection boxes and promotional materials if you want to organize a drive at your workplace, school, or place of worship. It's a great option if you want to make a bigger impact as part of a coordinated effort.
Support Little Free Libraries. Those neighborhood book exchange boxes are perfect for this. Stock them with quality children's books, and you might inspire other families to do the same. Find a Little Free Library here.
Virtual giving: If you can't give physical books, many organizations allow you to sponsor books for children in underserved areas. Teachers frequently post classroom wishlists on sites like DonorsChoose. You can fund specific books from the comfort of your couch. Organizations like First Book and Reach Out and Read also accept online donations that put books directly into children's hands.
Making It Meaningful for Your Kids
Involve your children in the giving process. Let them help choose which books to share and talk about why sharing stories matters. For younger kids (5-7), this might mean explaining that not every child has a bookshelf full of books at home. For older kids (8-12), you can have more nuanced conversations about equity, access to education, and the power of literacy.
Consider making this an annual family tradition. Some families designate February 14th as a day for both Valentine's exchanges and book giving, teaching children that love comes in many forms—including the gift of a good story.
Need book ideas? Check out Our 10 Favorite Children’s Books, or browse your child’s My Friends and I book to see what books their friends are loving. Don't have a My Friends and I book yet? Get one here.
The Ripple Effect
What makes International Book Giving Day so powerful is its ripple effect. When you give a child a book, you're not just providing entertainment for a few hours. You're potentially sparking a lifelong love of reading, opening doors to new ideas, and showing that child that someone believes reading is important enough to share.
Maybe the book you give becomes a well-worn favorite, read dozens of times. Maybe it's passed along to a sibling or friend, extending its reach even further. Or maybe it's the first book that child has ever owned—a treasure that sits on their bedside table and reminds them that stories belong to them, too.
This February 14th, consider adding books to your Valentine's Day plans. Whether you give one book or twenty, whether you donate to your local library or leave a surprise for a child at the park, you'll be participating in a global celebration of literacy, curiosity, and the simple joy of a good story. After all, the greatest gift we can give the next generation is a world full of books and the ability to explore them freely.
After all, sharing a good story is its own kind of love.
A Special Way to Combine Both Holidays
Want to combine both holidays? The My Friends and I friendship book is designed to be passed from friend to friend, with each child answering fun prompts like "What's your favorite food?" or "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and adding photos or doodles. Fill out your page and give it to a friend as a keepsake that celebrates your friendship—it's a meaningful alternative to traditional valentines that kids will treasure for years.
The 'My Friends and I' friendship book is available here and on Amazon.
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Photo by olga Volkovitskaia