Why is there a day dedicated to books? What makes books so special that April 23rd is set aside every year across the globe just to celebrate them? Perhaps itâs because books are time machines, empathy generators, and imagination ignitersâall wrapped into one. At Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), we believe books donât just fill shelves; they shape lives. Thatâs why we donât wait for just one day to celebrate booksâbut this World Book Day, we made sure to do something extra special.
To mark the occasion, we hosted a lively and engaging event with students from Gulestan-e-Syedda School, Gulberg, at our vibrant community library in Lahore. The day was filled with stories, questions, creativity, and a deep dive into the world of booksâending with an exciting exploration of our Kitab-Mahol Gari (KMG), our mobile learning library.
Library Tour & Storytelling: A Journey Through Pages
We began the celebration by welcoming the students with a guided tour of our library, where they were introduced to the diverse collection of books curated for children and young readers. Their eyes lit up at the sight of colorful illustrations, comics, and timeless classics.
The highlight of the morning was a storytelling session on Seema Ki Laal Kitaab. As we read aloud from the story, the children sat in rapt attention, absorbing every twist and turn. What followed was a vibrant discussion, with one curious child asking, âWhy should we take care of books when they donât feel pain?â Questions like these reveal the critical thinking and empathy that literature inspires in young mindsâone of the many reasons UNESCO celebrates World Book Day as a way to encourage reading and respect for authors and books around the world.
Creativity Unleashed: Designing Our Own Books
We then transitioned into a hands-on book-making activity, dividing the children into two groups. Each group created their own book coverâcomplete with original stories and characters. The results were a celebration of creativity: stories of friendship, tolerance, and embracing differences emerged, showcasing how literature can be both personal and universal.
This kind of activity is more than just fun; research shows that creative expression through storytelling improves cognitive development and emotional intelligence in children (National Literacy Trust, UK).
Taking Care of Books: A Lesson in Respect
Books may not feel painâbut they certainly deserve our care. We followed the activity with a session on book care etiquette. Children were taught how to:
- Turn pages gently without folding corners.
- Avoid writing or drawing in books.
- Use bookmarks instead of dog-earing.
- Store books upright and in clean, dry places.
- Keep food and drinks away while reading.
Through storytelling and playful reminders, we helped instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the physical and emotional value of books.
Exploring the Kitab-Mahol Gari: Books on Wheels
To wrap up the celebration, the students were taken on a tour of our Kitab-Mahol Gari (KMG)âour mobile learning rickshaw that brings books and learning resources to underserved communities. The excitement was contagious as students explored the interactive spaces in the Gari, played educational board games, and browsed through storybooks with facilitators guiding them through each component. The KMG is part of our mission to ensure access to literacy and joy of learning for every child, regardless of where they live.
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Books open doors to imagination, empathy, and discoveryâand on World Book Day, we opened those doors even wider. At ITA, through platforms like Kitab Gari and our community libraries, we continue to nurture the love for books in every corner of the country. Because while World Book Day may come just once a year, we believe every day should be a celebration of stories.
