International Read To Me Day – March 19, 2027

History of International Read To Me Day

International Read to Me Day is an occasion that aims to spread a message regarding the importance of reading to children. However, the day also promotes writers, the love for reading, as well as the message of promoting literacy and education across the globe. The day was originally created by the Child Writes Foundation as an attempt to encourage an increase in adult literacy.

Reading to children is important for this goal because according to a report, reading out to children in elementary school can actually lead to an increase in the love for reading. In fact, 40% of frequent readers ages six to 10 were read out loud at home. Literacy’s link to reading can be traced down to history as people became more educated once the written word was formed – the use of speaking out these words followed.

In the 4th Millennium B.C., messages were written using pictures. In fact, those who knew the art of writing and reading in 3500 B.C. would often hold public performances. The love for reading expanded when books originated in Rome in 23 B.C. Unfortunately, books were rare and expensive during this time, and only a select few had access to them. After the development of the printing press in the 15th century, books became accessible to the masses. And thus, with access to reading, came a rise in the literacy rate. The link between literacy and reading also became evident during the Industrial Revolution as the cost of books fell drastically. In the 1920s, literacy rates reached 70% in some parts of the U.S.