Penguin Random House Joins LitWorld to Celebrate 15th Annual World Read Aloud Day

Penguin Random House is thrilled to celebrate the fifteen annual World Read Aloud Day today, February 7, in partnership with LitWorld, a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen children and communities by using literacy as a tool and pathway for self-empowerment. 

World Read Aloud Day focuses on the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. With virtual read-alouds, live events, activities and resources, World Read Aloud Day has a variety of engaging tools to inspire kids around the globe to read out loud. 

Check out the WRAD Activity Hub here. 

Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and Brightly have joined together to offer additional online tools and content, accessible to kids nationwide, to enhance the joy and power of reading, and share stories for World Read Aloud’s virtual celebrations. PYR and RHCB have both prepared reading lists for children of all ages. The theme is #TellEveryStory. It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the importance of sharing and hearing stories that represent a variety of voices and perspectives. 

With a  variety of books to choose from, children are sure to find a favorite read! PYR’s list includes HAIR LOVE ABCS by Matthew A. Cherry, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison; HUDA F ARE YOU by Huda Fahmy, Illustrated by Huda Fahmy; JUST HELP by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Angela Dominguez, and RHCB’s list includes, PRIDE: THE STORY OF HARVEY MILK AND THE RAINBOW FLAG by Rob Sanders, Illustrated by Steven Salerno; IVELIZ EXPLAINS IT ALL by Andrea Beatriz Arango, Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez; ODD ONE OUT by Nic Stone and many more books! 

Brightly has added storytime videos featuring a diverse range of authors and books. Videos can be viewed here and include HATTIE HARMONY: WORRY DETECTIVE by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett;  SANKOFA by Eric Adjepong; REMEMBER by Joy Harjo; and FEMI AND THE MINDFULNESS MACHINE by Flo Fielding and more videos!

Thank you to all our colleagues who helped make this year’s World Read Aloud Day a successful and engaging event! To share your own World Read Aloud Day celebrations or to spread the word, use #WorldReadAloudDay on social media.

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day® (WRAD) in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Since then, World Read Aloud Day has evolved into a global movement of millions of readers, writers, and listeners from communities all across the world coming together to honor the joy and power of reading and continue expanding the definition and scope of global literacy.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGJllUR-gQ