International Children’s Book Day
Since 1967, the International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated across the world on 2 April, the birthday of the Danish fairy-tale author, Hans Christian Andersen.
Each year, a different IBBY Section sponsors the ICBD by preparing a message and a poster that are distributed around the world, to inspire a love of reading, underscore the importance of children’s books, and promote international collaboration in the development and dissemination of literature for children and young people.
In every country, this day is celebrated by children, authors, illustrators, translators, librarians, publishers and teachers through imaginative events held in schools, libraries, bookstores and public spaces, as an expression of their love for books and their commitment to reading.
International Children’s Book Day – ICBD 2026
For 2026, CYBBY, IBBY’s Section in Cyprus, is the sponsor of the International Children’s Book Day.
The selection process for the text and image of the ICBD 2026 poster broke new ground: for the first time, both the message and the image were chosen by children themselves rather than through the usual practice of direct assignment. This innovative initiative by the Cyprus IBBY positively influenced the IBBY Executive Board’s decision to select CYBBY’s proposal for the creation of the poster.
Following a procedure that ensured both quality and anonymity – with the identities of the artists revealed only after voting had concluded – children from 19 schools chose the message of award-winning author Elena Perikleous and the design of acclaimed illustrator Sandra Eleftheriou. The two had worked separately on the poster, using CYBBY’s motto as inspiration.
“Plant stories and the world will blossom”
International Children’s Book Day 2026 Message and Poster
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Creator’s CV’s (Elena Perikleous, Sandra Eleftheriou)
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Manual for young “gardeners” based
on the International Children’s Book Day Message for 2026
Activity suggestions booklet (English – Greek – Italian)
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Official Song from Cyprus IBBY for International Children’s Book Day 2026 – #icbd2026 🌷
“The Little Gardener”, composed pro bono by the Cypriot musician and composer Giorgos Hatzipieris.
Inspired by the text of Elena Perikleous and the illustration of Sandra Eleftheriou, the song is rooted in this year’s ICBD 2026 message and poster.
The instrumental version is also available, visit the Cyprus IBBY Youtube @cyprusibby.
Listen, watch, enjoy, create your own, and share it — because if stories make the world bloom, music is surely one of the best fertilizers.
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Did you know that the last time Cyprus created the message for International Children’s Book Day was in 1982?
Click here to see it
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You can send us photos* of your activities to the email: [email protected].
Activities must be accompanied by the name of your school/institution, library, or organization, along with a short description of up to 50 words.
The activities will be posted on the website below:
Activities by young “gardeners” based on the message of the 2026 International Children’s Book Day
* The school or organization submitting the photos must obtain consent from the individuals depicted, or from their legal guardians, or alternatively submit photos with faces redacted. CYBBY cannot be held responsible for any violation of privacy.
