2nd April International Children's Book Day

Today is International Children's Book Day in honour of Hans Christian Andersen's birthday and as is usual IBBY has produced a poster. This year's theme is Stories are wings that help you soar everyday. The quote is from Canadian author Richard Van Camp and the artwork by Canadian  illustrator Julie Flett. They are Canadian because the event this year is sponsored by IBBY Canada.

Julie Flett's book illustrations are distinctive, recognisable and always a joy to behold.  Her books often feature Cree language or are bilingual because she is a Cree-Metis author who promotes her indigenous Canadian heritage and culture. Her books We All Play  and Birdsong  are both available here and worth seeking out.

        

I am not a huge fan of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales. Many are sad, too long and obscure, but like all fairytales many have been romanticised, toned down, rewritten and presented in a more child-like way. Some of these have become very popular with a young audience. 

My students like:

The Little Mermaid

The Princess and the Pea

Renowned illustrators such as Jerry Pinkney, P.J.Lynch, Susan Jeffers and Jane Ray have ventured in with titles such as:

The Ugly Duckling  and  The Snow Queen

and The Wild Swans

Even The Emperor's New Clothes has had a resurgence in popularity.

I have yet to find copies of The Little Match Girl, The Fir Tree, The Nightingale  or The Steadfast Tin Soldier that I would recommend to a very young audience.

Learning more about Hans Christian Anderson's life has become much easier for young audiences though with the publication of very accessible biographies.

To celebrate International Children's Day you do not need to read Andersen or Flett's books, you are just being encouraged to read children's books and revel in the quality of them all over the world.