It is World Book Day & Some Fun Ways to Celebrate!

Today is World Book Day! Since I enjoy books, I thought I'd share this day with you along with a few fun ideas for celebrating with your grandchildren!

First, some history of this wonderful day, which I found on-line . . .

Books did not always look the way they do today, with their glossy covers and creamy pages. When writing systems were invented in ancient civilizations thousands of years ago, clay tablets were used. Later, humanity moved on to using papyrus. In the Third century, the Chinese were the first to make something resembling today’s books with numerous thick, bamboo pages sewn together. Then, in the mid-15th century, Johannes Gutenburg’s printing press brought books into the industrial age, making them readily available to anyone who wanted to read them. It is thanks to his ingenious invention we are all able to enjoy the works of Shakespeare, Tolstoy, others and most importantly, the Bible in the comfort of our own homes today. 

World Book Day was created on April 23rd, 1995, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The connection between this date and books, however, was made in Spain in 1923, as it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, prominent Spanish Chronicler.

 So, now for some fun ideas to celebrate World Book Day . . .

• Since March is also Craft Month and tomorrow, March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' birthday, take time to read some of your favorite Dr. Seuss books with your grandchildren.
• For more Seuss and book fun, have your grandchildren create their own "Wocket in my Pocket" book. I did this last year with my grandsons and it was a lot of fun! You will find the details at this link.
• Make a special book about each grandchild - and have them help. Include things about them - such as a page for each of their favorites . . . color, bird, animal, place, etc and pages of photos - from when they were little to the age they are now. Add drawings, pages about the things they enjoy and add your own blessing page then fasten it all together for a special book for each grandchild!
• Take a favorite book and make it into a simple play - assign parts and film your own version of the book made into a "movie"!

These are just a few ideas of how you might celebrate World Book Day! What might you do?