Celebrate World Read Aloud Day
Read Aloud. Change the World!
World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is focused on bringing awareness to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories as well as advocating for literacy as a human right.
WRAD was created in 2010 by LitWorld, a nonprofit believing in the power of reading. Studies reflect that people who read frequently are more equipped to understand others, have empathy, and see the world from different perspectives. Reading aloud helps develop literacy skills, builds community, and connects us.
World Read Aloud Day takes place on February 7, 2024!
Why is World Read Aloud Day Important?
- More than 750 million adults (two-thirds of them women) lack basic reading and writing skills.
- Reading aloud to children puts them almost a year ahead of children who do not receive daily read-alouds, regardless of parental income, education level, or cultural background.
- Poorly literate individuals are less likely to participate in democratic processes and have fewer chances to fully exercise their civil rights.
- Illiterate people earn 30-42% less than their literate counterparts.
(Global Literacy Statistics, LitWorld WRAD packet)
World Read-Aloud Day Resources
- Visit LitWorld’s Activity Hub for virtual read-alouds from favorite authors and celebrities, book lists, swag, and activities. Download the WRAD Activity Packet for celebration ideas, read-aloud tips and suggestions, printable reading crown activity, bookmarks, banners, and more.
- Join/share the Read Aloud 15 Minutes Campaign. Every Child. Every Parent. Every Day. “Because when every child is read aloud to for 15 minutes every day from birth, it will change the face of education…”
Online Read-Aloud Resources
Browse our curated (and growing) collection of global read-aloud videos, student activities, and teaching resources. Check It Out!
- Storynory provides a large collection of free audio stories for kids. Listen to classics, fairy tales, myths, poetry, and more.
- Just Books Read Aloud offers 750 children’s books read aloud – sorted by length of the book, author, narrator, category, reading level, and other languages.
- Tuck helps you find the “Best Bedtime Reading for Children” with a comprehensive guide to online and print books, categorized by age.
- Storyline Online features famous people reading notable children’s books (i.e., Viola Davis reading Rent Party Jazz by William Miller). An activity guide and the option to purchase the book are also available. We recommend downloading both activity guides – teachers and parents.
Get Loud! Spread the Word!
- Share your World Read Aloud Day ideas and pictures with #WorldReadAloudDay #WRAD
- Ask for comments on favorite read-aloud books. Tag LitWorld on Twitter (@litworldsays), Facebook (@LitWorld) or Instagram (@litworld) so that they can re-share your content with their online community.
Grab a book and find an audience. Read Aloud. Change the World!