World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud Day History

World Read Aloud Day is dedicated to highlighting the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories, both as a tool for literacy education and a form of entertainment. This initiative is globally reckoned for igniting an inherent love for books and the written word, aimed at reinforcing the bond between readers and text. The day is targeted towards underscoring the power of voice in education, promoting the joys of narrative and fostering an enduring appreciation for literacy and narrative as essential human experiences.

Incepted by LitWorld in 2010, it has since grown into a worldwide event celebrated by millions of people in more than 173 countries. World Read Aloud Day seeks to bridge the divide between those with access to books and those without and serves to stand up for literacy as a foundational human right. Authors, educators, parents, children, and just about anyone with a love for reading participate in this event.

On this day, people across the globe organize various events, online and offline, including read-aloud sessions in schools, libraries, offices, and public spaces. It's a day to appreciate the transformative power of hearing stories read aloud and to work together in expanding access to this invaluable experience worldwide. World Read Aloud Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in February.

Facts about World Read Aloud Day

• According to UNICEF, in 2023, there were more than 100 million youth around the world that lacked basic literacy skill.
• Reading aloud has many benefits for both young children and adults including improved memory and word retention. According to a BBC article, studies on the effects of reading aloud were conducted involving young adolescents and older adults. In the first study, researchers found those aged 7-10 were able to recognize 87% of the words they read aloud compared to 70% of the words they read silently. In the second study, researchers found that those aged 67-88 remembered 27% of the words they read aloud compared to 10% of the words they read silently.
• According to Amazon the top selling books in 2023 were:
  1) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - by James Clear
  2) Iron Flame (The Empyrean, 2) – by Rebecca Yarros
  3) Spare - by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
  4) Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1) - by Rebecca Yarros
  5) The Woman in ME - by Britney Spears
• Facts about World Read Alout Day:
  1) An interesting tradition of World Read-Aloud Day is the "LitClub Connect," a virtual meeting where LitClubs around the world Skype each other to share stories and songs.
  2) Reading aloud exposes the listener to a wide range of words, thus helping improve vocabulary and language skills.
  3) The celebration of this day not only focuses on the enjoyment of reading aloud but also stresses the importance of reading in early childhood development, education, and lifelong learning.
  4) The day has been endorsed by a variety of organizations including UNESCO and the International Reading Association. It has been recognized by The New York Times and The Washington Post among others.
  5) According to LitWorld, over 32 million people participated in World Read Aloud Day in the year 2020.

In the News and Trending for World Read Aloud Day

Top things to do for World Read Aloud Day

• Host a book reading night with friends and family. Have everyone choose a novel for the night and take turns reading aloud.
• Find a novel you're interested in and start reading it. Read aloud to a spouse or a friend and get them involved in the story. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, 27% of adults reported that they had not read a book in the last year. Books are portals to exciting worlds. They host interesting characters and they offer insight into how people feel and think. So keep reading. And while doing so, make sure to read aloud sometimes.
• Visit your local library and check out their collections. They may even be hosting an event for World Read Aloud Day, in which case, you should participate and join in the fun.
• Watch a movie that highlights the power and benefit of reading. Here are our suggestions:
  The Bookshop (2018)
  Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
  Phenomenon (1996)