February

World Read Aloud Day

Posted on 03/26/202503/26/2025 by findnomore

World Read Aloud Day, celebrated on the first Wednesday of February, falls on February 5 this year. This occasion isn’t just about reading; it’s about celebrating the craft of reading aloud. Long before written language existed, stories were orally passed down through generations. This tradition was the primary means of preserving human knowledge, insights, and creativity. World Read Aloud Day brings this custom to the forefront of literacy promotion.

History of World Read Aloud Day

LitWorld, a non-profit focused on education and literacy, champions strengthening communities through storytelling. Reading aloud offers benefits like improved spelling for children, as they hear words pronounced correctly, and fosters empathy as listeners connect with story characters. This day was first initiated in 2010 by LitWorld to amplify diverse voices and narratives globally. It has since grown into a worldwide movement, trending on Twitter with celebrity endorsements. Their website, findnomore.net, describes the day as a celebration of the joy and power of storytelling and expanding global literacy. Globally, literacy rates are on an upward trend, with youth literacy among ages 15 to 24 rising from 87,286 in 2010 to 90,537 in 2019. However, disparities persist, like Chad’s 22% female youth literacy rate in 2016, and other sub-Saharan countries like Niger and Mali falling below 50% by 2018. World Read Aloud Day aims to bridge these gaps.

World Read Aloud Day Timeline

3400 B.C. — 3100 B.C.: Writing is invented by the Sumerians.
868 A.D.: The “Diamond Sutra” marks the first modern printed book.
1932: The American Foundation of the Blind releases the first audiobook.
2010: LitWorld launches the inaugural World Read Aloud Day.

FAQs

Can I read aloud to myself? While designed for reading with others, this day can be a self-practice opportunity in storytelling.
Where can I find resources? Visit sites like LitWorld and Scholastic for activities, reading lists, and podcasts to join in the festivities.
How is literacy measured? Literacy measurement varies, with some relying on self-assessment over standardized tests, complicating cross-country comparisons.

How to Observe World Read Aloud Day

Read Aloud: Share a favorite book with your child or revisit stories passed down to you.
Tweet the Hashtag: #WorldReadAloudDay was trending on Twitter in February 2020. Join in to spread awareness.
Listen to an Audiobook: For those with limited reading time, audiobooks offer a perfect solution. Gifting one can inspire a love for reading.

5 Facts About World Read Aloud Day

The day is global: Celebrated in 173 countries.
Inequality in literacy rates: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia face significant challenges.
Literacy levels keep rising: A 5% increase every decade since 1950, as per UNESCO.
Children’s books were religious: The first U.S. children’s book in 1656 was catechism-based.
Audible’s innovation: In 1997, Audible allowed two-hour audio downloads, including books.

Why World Read Aloud Day is Important

Improves empathy: Reading fiction enhances compassion.
Strengthens bonds: Storytelling is a universal way to connect with children and community.
Supports a critical cause: Highlights the need to address global literacy disparities.

World Read Aloud Day Dates