Spring has finally sprung and whilst there may be snow in the forecast, there’s lots of exciting events coming up this month to warm children’s imaginations, with celebrations you can engage with to encourage creativity.
International Children’s Book Day
Start the month with a story celebration as International Children’s Book Day takes place on 2nd April! Since 1967, this event has been celebrated on or around what would have been Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, with a different member of the International Board on Books for Young People sponsoring. This year, IBBY Canada are leading the way and events will be taking place all over the world. Find out more here and why not celebrate in your school with book-focused fun like story-telling, bring your favourite book to school days or a get caught reading competition?!
World Autism Day
International event, World Autism Day, takes place on 2nd April and aims to shine a light on the hurdles people with autism face every day, as part of World Autism Month. Organisers invite everyone to take the pledge to create a world where all people with autism can fulfil their potential, and to join the Kindness Campaign to encourage acceptance, understanding and inclusion. Inspire your school to get involved using our brilliant book list to explore neurodiversity, and #ChooseKind with Auggie and friends in our resource pack inspired by the brilliant book by R.J Palacio, Wonder.
Ramadan
Observed by Muslims around the world, Ramadan begins on 2nd April as a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. Encourage children to find out more about this religious festival and Muslim people, using Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World as a starting point. This fantastic title explores amazing Muslim men and women who have changed our world, from pirate queens to athletes, to warriors and mathematicians, and you can use the resource pack to help children delve even deeper into these inspiring lives.
Easter
Easter Sunday falls on 17th April, and as we enjoy being able to celebrate with family and friends this year, it’s a great opportunity to engage children in creativity in the classroom. As well as learning more about this annual Christian holiday, children will no doubt be looking forward to a visit from the Easter bunny! Look no further than our chocolate book list for sweet-toothed inspiration – perhaps they could write their own Easter stories with the help of our writing prompts?!
Whatever your school is doing to celebrate stories and creativity this month we’d love to hear about it. Please contact [email protected] with 'Inspiring Ideas' in the subject line.