World Book Day: Sustainable Stories

Did you know that the concept of World Book Day has been around for over 100 years? It was first envisioned by  Vicente Clavel, a publishing house owner, as a way to boost book sales. In 1995, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) officially adopted the idea, aiming to inspire children from all walks of life to develop a lifelong love of reading. UNESCO believes that this simple act can significantly improve opportunities for children worldwide.

There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing kids dressed as their favourite book characters, especially when they wear homemade costumes. It brings joy to children and adults alike! In support of UNESCO’s efforts in Education for Sustainable Development, we want to share some of our favourite books with you. Our goal is to fill our social media feeds with images of young, smiling bookworms dressed up as characters from stories that inspire change.

World Book Day costumes often face scrutiny for contributing to unnecessary waste, but we encourage you to use your creativity to make costumes from what you already have. You can upcycle clothes from charity shops, borrow costumes from friends, or even keep it simple—sometimes, all a character needs is one key accessory.

Here are some books we love:

• Earth Heroes – This beautifully illustrated book tells the stories of remarkable individuals who’ve made a significant impact in addressing the climate crisis. It comes with a helpful resource pack, encouraging children to reflect on their environmental impact with the phrase, “I AM AN EARTH HERO…”
• How to Teach Grownups About Climate Change – A humorous and insightful book that arms young readers with a climate quiz to test their grownups. Its comic book-style layout walks readers through the climate journey, offering key facts and solutions related to sustainability and climate change.
• The Biggest Footprint – This book brings big data to life by helping readers visualize the overwhelming numbers associated with climate change. Using a fun concept called “smoosh theory,” the authors challenge readers to imagine the world’s population made of plasticine and explore how it all adds up. It’s an award-winning, engaging way to visualize human impact on the planet.
• There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom – A touching story about a child who learns about deforestation from an orangutan and is inspired to take action. This book, which gained fame through a Christmas advert, has a powerful message about the importance of environmental activism. Watch the video here.

To further fuel our inspiration, UNESCO created a short video celebrating the mission of World Book Day. Let’s come together to inspire the next generation of readers. Join us in supporting #LearnForOurPlanet! Watch the World Book Day video here.