Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) has been celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD¹. This year, IBBY Japan is the official sponsor, bringing the poster and message to the world, “Cross the seas on the wings of your imagination.” And for the first time, the Philippines joins the celebration by launching The Severino Reyes Medal Award.

This Award aims to recognize outstanding contributions to children and young adult’s literature in the Philippines. The awards will be selected and given by professional librarians in the Philippines, aligned with library values, and promotes literacy by highlighting exceptional children and young adults literature. The award also honors Severino Reyes, the creator of “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,” whose stories delighted and taught lessons to Filipinos of many generations.

The highlight of the ICBD kick-off activity was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for The Severino Reyes Medal Award by and among International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) – Philippines, National Library of the Philippines (NLP), National Book Development Board (NBDB), Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), Philippine Association of School Librarians, Inc. (PASLI), and the Association of Librarians in the Public Sector (ALPS).