Make a Book Day – May 6, 2027

Make a Book Day
Categories:
Tags:
BooksEducational
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
1st Thursday of May
Holiday emoji:
📚

Make a Book Day inspires creativity every first Thursday of May. Gather your family, unleash your imagination, and craft unique stories from scratch. Design characters, write plots, and bind your very own literary masterpieces.

Want to sponsor Make a Book Day? Learn how

Expected Make a Book Day Deals

While official 2027 promotions are still under wraps, Make a Book Day typically sees retailers offering discounts on essential crafting supplies. Look for deals from stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores on paper, binding kits, and art materials. Online platforms like Amazon and Etsy may feature independent sellers with unique book-making tools and custom kits. Educational publishers such as Scholastic and Usborne Books & More might offer resources for young authors. Additionally, local libraries and community centers often host free workshops on bookbinding and storytelling. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 6 approaches.

Platform Guide for Make a Book Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MakeABookDay. Share photos or short videos of your family’s book-making process, from brainstorming ideas to the final binding.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MakeABookDay. Create a fun time-lapse video of your book being made or a quick tutorial on a simple binding technique.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MakeABookDay. Share your completed book projects and inspire others in local community groups or family pages.

Social Media Tips for Make a Book Day

Individuals

Start a family tradition by dedicating the day to creating a new book each year. Brainstorm ideas, write a story, and illustrate it together.

Creators

Document your entire book-making journey, from initial concept to finished product, sharing tips, tricks, and printable templates for followers.

Brands

Partner with local schools or libraries to host a book-making workshop, providing supplies and guidance. Run a contest for the most creative homemade book.

Top Brands for Make a Book Day

  1. Michaels

    Founded in 1973 in Dallas, Texas, Michaels is one of North America's largest providers of arts, crafts, framing, floral, and wall décor products. They offer a wide range of supplies perfect for aspiring bookmakers.

  2. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

    Established in 1943, Jo-Ann is a leading fabric and craft retailer. They provide materials like paper, glue, and decorative elements essential for creating unique handmade books and journals.

  3. Scholastic

    Founded in 1920, Scholastic is a global publishing, education, and media company known for its children's books and educational materials. They inspire young readers and writers through various programs and resources.

  4. Crayola

    Since 1903, Crayola has been synonymous with art supplies, encouraging children's creativity. Their wide array of crayons, markers, and colored pencils are perfect for illustrating homemade books.

  5. Barnes & Noble

    The largest retail bookseller in the United States, Barnes & Noble was founded in 1886. Beyond selling books, they often host community events that promote literacy and storytelling, inspiring future authors.

  6. Etsy

    Launched in 2005, Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. It's a hub for unique bookbinding kits, custom papers, and tools for independent crafters.

  7. Faber-Castell

    One of the world's oldest and largest manufacturers of pens, pencils, and art supplies, founded in 1761 in Germany. Their high-quality drawing and writing tools are ideal for crafting detailed book illustrations and text.

Make a Book Day Hero

Johannes Gutenberg

Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor and craftsman, revolutionized the world with his invention of the printing press around 1440. His innovation made books more accessible and affordable, democratizing knowledge and literacy. Gutenberg's work laid the foundation for modern publishing, enabling countless stories and ideas to reach wider audiences.

History of Make a Book Day

Books have served as a path to the dissemination of information, the telling of stories, and the expanding of the intellect by documenting and transmitting these concepts through a written medium. They have been critical to humanity for ages and expand their ideas beyond physical space and time.

People have evolved the ability to share and expand their thoughts by putting them on paper for others to read. The first recorded word is thought to have occurred in 3400 B.C., and the first story was “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” a mythical account of the eponymous monarch of Sumerian Uruk, who ruled between 2700 B.C. and 2500 B.C.

Make A Book Day urges everyone, both adults and children, to read as many books as they can to learn new things, live creative lifestyles, and open their minds to new types of thinking and possibilities. This isn’t the only day that people should be reading and creating new books, but ideally, it will spark a thirst for knowledge and the joy that can be found between the pages of a book.

Channel your inner author today and put pen to paper. Explore the written word in all its glorious forms. Whether it’s poetry or prose, let your imagination run wild. Create new worlds and share your ideas with others through the art of storytelling.

Make a Book Day timeline

3500 B.C.
Engravings on Tablets

Sumerians carve their alphabet into clay tablets.

858 A.D.
The First Book Printed

A book is printed in China using woodblocks with characters on them.

1935
Penguin Books Revolutionalize Publishing

Penguin Books co-founders, Sir Allen Lane and his brothers John and Richard, introduce cheap paperback prints.

2007
Kindle and Digital Books

The Kindle reading device is unveiled, allowing users to store thousands of books digitally and access them on the go.

Make a Book Day FAQs

When is Make a Book Day?

In 2027, Make a Book Day is observed on Thursday, May 6, inviting people to explore the art of book creation. This day highlights the journey from imagination to a tangible story.

How many books are published annually?

In the U.S. alone, over 300,000 new titles are released annually, reflecting a vibrant publishing industry and a continuous stream of new stories for readers to discover. This includes print and digital formats.

What is the average number of books a person reads per year?

While the median number of books read by adults in the U.S. is closer to four per year, dedicated readers often consume dozens. Make a Book Day aims to inspire more people to engage with stories, both as readers and creators.

What are the benefits of making your own book?

Beyond personal satisfaction, creating a book can enhance literacy, encourage imaginative play, and strengthen family bonds through collaborative storytelling. It’s a hands-on learning experience for all ages.

Make a Book Day Activities

  1. Help out your neighborhood bookstores

    Neighborhood bookshops add so much to the life of a community! Visit local bookstores and buy as many books as your arms can carry.

  2. Organize a book club

    The only thing better than reading a good book is discussing it with others who share your enthusiasm. Celebrate Make a Book Day by organizing a book club with friends and family.

  3. Educate others

    Perhaps not many people realize how much time and effort it takes to write a book. Celebrate this day by showcasing it to others who are unaware of the process, so they may realize how valuable writers are.

5 Facts About Books That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. Endless volumes

    There are over 130 million books published around the world.

  2. Sacred text

    The “Bible” is the most-sold book.

  3. Big bucks

    The world’s most expensive book, “The Codex Leicester” written by Leonardo da Vinci, was sold in 1994 for $30.8 million.

  4. It's good for our vocabulary

    Reading teaches children between 4,000 and 12,000 words every year.

  5. A lifetime of reading

    The Guinness World Records claim that John Q. Benham of Indiana, U.S., owns the world’s largest private book collection with over 1.5 million volumes.

Why We Love Make a Book Day

  1. It makes us value literature more

    Understanding the laborious process that goes into making books available will instill a sense of appreciation in us for books. It enables us to treat books with the respect they deserve.

  2. It links us to others

    This day brings together a diverse group of book lovers to celebrate. Relationships are formed between like-minded individuals, and ideas are shared as a result.

  3. Writing is an art form

    Writers can entertain, move, and, on occasion, change us. Books drastically expand our horizons. They don't just give us knowledge; they also give us the chance to see the world through the eyes of someone else.

Make a Book Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 May 7 Thursday
2027 May 6 Thursday
2028 May 11 Thursday
2029 May 10 Thursday
2030 May 9 Thursday