“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” – Kofi Annan

Every year, National Literacy Day highlights the importance of something we often take for granted: the power to read. More than just a day marked on the calendar, National Literacy Day is a call to action we can all respond to. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the importance of literacy, the millions still living without it, and the role each of us can play in spreading the joy of reading.

We are always reminded of the story that started Once Upon a Book Club! While reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Michelle, our CEO, found herself in a different world, and once it was over, she immediately became inspired. What if she could create something that made you feel like you were physically a part of the book you were reading? It would feel like the reader was really there! 

Whether you are a parent, educator, caregiver, or simply a lover of books, this is your invitation to mark the date and join us at Once Upon a Book Club in championing a cause that is close to our hearts—books that change lives. 

What Is National Literacy Day?

Celebrated annually on September 8th, UNESCO’s International Literacy Day was established in 1967 to raise awareness of global literacy issues (UNESCO, n.d.). In the United States, we also observe National Family Literacy Day on November 1st, emphasizing the importance of family reading time and community engagement.

Despite significant progress, over 700 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, with women and girls representing two-thirds of that population. These numbers are a reminder that literacy remains one of the most powerful tools for personal empowerment and social change.

5 Reasons Literacy Day Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar

Literacy Is the Foundation for Lifelong Learning

The ability to read is more than decoding words; it is the key to understanding the world. Literacy shapes everything from academic success to career potential and emotional development. Children who develop strong reading skills early are more confident learners, while adults with access to literacy programs often experience greater financial stability and independence.

That is why we are so passionate about our Book Subscription Boxes. They help readers of all ages experience stories in new, exciting ways, helping to turn reading from a skill into a lifelong habit filled with joy, imagination, and surprise.

It Celebrates Stories That Shape Us

Books are more than entertainment. They are time capsules, empathy engines, and personal mirrors. Through stories, we preserve cultural identity, share lived experiences, and connect across generations. Whether you are reading Much Ado About Baseball with your child or diving into the latest fantasy release from our YA Book Subscription Boxes, storytelling has the power to bring people together.

Let’s use National Literacy Day to celebrate those stories, the ones that make us laugh, cry, and dream bigger.

It Raises Awareness for Global Inequality

Literacy is not universal. Across the globe, systemic poverty, conflict, and gender discrimination continue to restrict access to education. In many parts of the world, schools lack basic resources, and reading materials are considered luxuries. By recognizing World Literacy Day, we bring attention to these disparities and help ensure every child, regardless of zip code or country, has access to the transformative power of reading.

Looking to get involved? Check out our blog, Too Many Used Books? Want To Help Literacy Efforts? Here's What To Do, for tips on how your bookshelf can make a difference.

It Encourages Family Reading Habits

One of the most effective ways to nurture a love of reading is to make it part of everyday family life. National Literacy Day is the perfect time to start a family reading plan, set shared goals, or simply curl up together with a good book.

Our Tween Book Subscription Boxes are specially curated to engage young readers with exciting stories and surprise gifts that align with key pages. Want to track your reading adventures together? Download our OUABC Reading Journal or encourage your tween to use our Tween Reading Passport to log their literary journey.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, make sure to check out our blog, Creating a Literacy-Friendly Home Environment, to transform your living room into a bookish haven.

It’s a Call to Action to Read More — and Give More

One of the easiest and most powerful ways to support literacy is also one of the most joyful—give a book. Whether you donate to a literacy nonprofit, gift a book to a child, or subscribe someone to one of our Adult, YA, or Tween Book Boxes, you are helping someone else fall in love with reading.

You can also browse our Books Collection for individual titles that are perfect for birthdays, classrooms, or quiet afternoons.

How to Celebrate Literacy Day with OUABC

Need ideas for what to do on National Literacy Day? Here are a few ways you can celebrate with us:

• Set a reading goal for the month and track it with our Reading Journal

• Host a mini book club with your family or friends using a title from our Adult Book Subscription Box

• Plan a read-aloud night with your kids and unwrap a surprise from our Tween Boxes

• Share your reading journey online and spread awareness using #NationalLiteracyDay

No matter how you celebrate, the goal is the same: read more, share more, and support literacy wherever you can.

Let’s Put the Power of Stories on the Calendar

There is no limit to what a story can do. It can spark a child’s imagination, comfort someone in a difficult moment, or inspire change across communities. That is why we believe National Literacy Day deserves more than a social post; it deserves a real spot on your calendar.

So circle the date, grab a good book, and join us in turning pages and turning hearts. With each story you read or share, you are helping build a world where every person has the opportunity to discover the power of literacy. 

Explore our Book Subscription Boxes and let us help you turn this one day of awareness into a lifelong love of reading.

Sources

UNESCO. (n.d.). International Literacy Day. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy