International Book Giving Day
At 10ofthose we love books, and we especially love giving books that point to Jesus. International Book Giving Day is a great opportunity to do just that, and here we share some helpful ideas of how to give books to children that will point them to Jesus.
What is International Book Giving Day?
First started in 2012 in the UK, but now celebrated in over 40 countries across the world its primary aim is to share a love of books with children.
When is International Book Giving Day?
Celebrated on 14th of February, most famously St Valentines day, what better day to show love than through sharing a love of books?
How to get involved!
Gift a Book
If you have children in your lives who you can show love to, and encourage in reading, then why not grab a copy of a book and wrap it up along with a note to say how much you love reading? Whether it’s your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or neighbours, giving a book which points to the gospel, or shares a Biblical worldview, can have an eternal impact.
Donate Books
Perhaps you could donate a book to your local school or library? Many schools have limited budgets, and replacing worn books is not high on their list of priorities, yet reading is an essential part of the curriculum. Could you offer to buy a book series for them to add to their library, or a storybook, or Bible, for each classroom?
If your church has a library does it have children’s books which will build up and encourage your children and young people? Perhaps you could donate a book!
Giveaway Books
When asked, 20% of under 8’s in the UK said they didn’t own a book of their own 1. Could you change this statistic by giving an evangelistic book to every child at your local school? This is a huge undertaking on your own, but could you rally a team of Christians to help fund the project? Or ask 10Giving for a grant?
Maggie Wigmore from The Parish of Winklebury and Worting in Basingstoke explains how they have been giving away books to their local school children.
"There are two schools in our parish (not faith schools) and we wanted to mark key life events for the children.
For the Year 2’s we have a special assembly where we present each of the children with a Jesus Storybook Bible. We have heard that one boy took it home and read it from cover to cover that evening!
We are invited to go in and explain how the whole of the Bible is God's story, including all different types of literature: poetry, history, geography, even love stories (which makes a lot of them go “blurrghh!") but that the Bible tells the whole of God's story.
Supplying the schools with these resources shows the schools that we are supporting their work and is an important tool for evangelism. Our congregations pray for each of these opportunities and we're building relationships with the schools and are invited along to other key events in the life of the schools.”
Organise a Book Reading
Young children are used to being read stories in school, but could you organise a book reading at your church, or offer to do a school assembly? Could you read through a short book during your children’s slot in your Sunday service and expand.
Perhaps we've inspired you to think how you can use International Book Giving Day to share books that point to Jesus with the children in your lives, but now you need some ideas as to what books would work. Here are our top picks for gifting, donating and giving away widely.
Suggestions for pre-school - Age 3 and under
Gift - Say What Board Book, Gospel A-Z
Donate - First Word Board Books, Rhyming Stories
Giveaway - Rhyming Stories
Suggestions for Infants - Age 4-7
Gift - I Can’t Believe My Eye’s, Rosie Stories, Everyone a Child Should Know,
Donate - Everyone a Child Should Know, Bible Stories Every Child
Giveaway - Love Came Down Booklet, WOW!
Suggestions for Juniors - Age 8-11
Gift -Light Keepers, Patricia St John Series , Diary of a Disciple
Donate -Light Keepers, Patricia St John Series , Diary of a Disciple
Giveaway - Martin Young Activity Books
Suggestions for Early Teens - Age 12-14
Gift - Extracted, Youth Bible, Heroes of History
Donate - Extracted, Youth Bible, Heroes of History
Giveaway - Like or Follow
Suggestions for LateTeens - Age 15-18
Gift - Oh, The Treasures You'll Know, Acts: A Visual Guide,
Donate - Grill a Christian
Giveaway - Grill a Christian, Have You Ever Wondered?
We pray that you would be encouraged and enthused to give a book this International Book Giving Day, for God’s glory.
Drop us an email and share your plans and we will pray for you, and perhaps we can share your ideas to inspire others too!
