Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we live and breathe books. Books are woven into every aspect of our lives. We read whenever we have a gap, we pack books for every trip (no matter how long), we carry novels around “just in case”, we talk endlessly about the characters from our latest books as if they are real people. We have TBR lists that we think are so fabulous we should be able to insure them!

But if you think about it, without the ability to read, there would be no bookish joy. It’s a skill we tend to take for granted, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without it. The thought of not being able to open a book just before bed is enough to give me heart palpitations. 

This year, we’ve decided to honor the power of reading. We don’t need any huge campaigns or elaborate plans; we just plan on spreading our love of reading, one book and one person at a time.

What is International Literacy Day?

International Literacy Day is celebrated globally every year on the 8th of September. UNESCO started this incredible day in 1966 to draw attention to the importance of literacy and its role in creating greater opportunity, dignity, and participation in society. 

UNESCO describes literacy as a fundamental human right, and this year’s theme is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity.” And sixty years later, that mission is still just as important. And if you think about it, those big ideas began somewhere very familiar, with words on a page.

One of the things I love about reading is how it sparks our imaginations. We can all read the same book, yet we each imagine the people and places differently. That's why I always need to read the book before I see the movie adaptation, and between us, I always prefer the way I imagined the people and places!

Small Ways to Honor International Literacy Day

If you would like to do something for International Literacy Day but aren't sure where to begin, start small. It is often the small acts that have the biggest impact, like reading aloud and passing books on. We can’t wait to spread the joy of reading, which is exactly how OUABC started!

You definitely don't have to do everything. Choose what feels most natural to you and start there.

Give the Gift of Reading

I have such wonderful childhood memories of books. I loved going to the library on Saturday mornings with my Mom, choosing my books, and then spending the rest of the weekend with my face buried in one book after another. 

There is something about receiving a book that is simply wonderful. From the moment you open the first page, you’re on an adventure, exploring new places and meeting interesting people. And perhaps along the way, you fall in love, solve a murder, and even slay the odd dragon! I can’t think of giving or receiving a better gift than a book. I love our special editions; the custom details seem to add that extra promise of something exciting!

As always, we’ve got you covered with plenty of options!

OUABC Lite

OUABC Lite is our newest way to experience reading, and quite possibly the most immersive “book-only” experience we’ve ever created. It’s not just about reading; it’s about becoming part of the story. It's about feeling it. Hearing it. Smelling it. Tasting it and touching it. We built our OUABC Lite around the five senses. This one is for all of you who want to experience a book in a way that feels completely unforgettable.

Check out our blog, Where Stories Come Alive: Meet the OUABC Lite Five-Senses Box for the full rundown!

Mini Boxes

Our OUABC Mini Boxes prove that sometimes the best things really do come in small packages!

Each Mini Box pairs a paperback with two wrapped gifts, carefully chosen to connect with specific moments in the story. As you read, you’ll reach the familiar “Open Your Gift” prompts where you get to unwrap a little piece of the story just when it matters most. We love wrapping surprises and creating adventures.

Even better, our Mini Boxes are ready-to-ship and come in a wonderful mix of genres, making them an easy way to introduce someone to immersive reading, try something new, or simply treat yourself. Because really, who needs a special occasion when books and presents are involved?

 

No Commitment? No Problem!

Our One-Time Book Boxes are perfect if you’re looking for the full Once Upon a Book Club experience without signing up for a subscription.

You can choose the current Adult or Young Adult box and enjoy the featured novel alongside wrapped gifts that are opened at carefully selected moments as you read. You still get that wonderful anticipation of reaching an “Open Your Gift” sticky note and discovering what is waiting inside, but your purchase is exactly that: one box, one reading adventure, and no recurring commitment.

It’s a brilliant option for someone trying OUABC for the first time, a reader who wants to choose their boxes month by month, or anyone you think might just need a little encouragement to fall back in love with reading.

 

Give Them the Fun of Choosing

And then there are those people who are difficult to buy for. Our OUABC Digital Gift Cards solve that problem beautifully.

Available in amounts from $5 to $1,000, a gift card lets them choose their own reading adventure, whether that means a book box, a new book, or one of the many bookish finds waiting in our collections. Best of all, digital gift cards arrive by email within minutes, so they are perfect for thoughtful gifting and those "oh no, I completely forgot" moments, too.

The Power of Reading Was Given to You Once: Pass It On

This International Literacy Day feels especially meaningful for us because Once Upon a Book Club is celebrating our 10th anniversary! For ten years, we have had the privilege of doing what we love most: finding new ways to bring books to life and sharing the magic of reading with readers around the world. That feels like something worth celebrating.

Perhaps someone once handed you the book that made you fall in love with reading. This September, you could be that person for somebody else. Whether you pass on a much-loved novel, read a story with a child, or give someone their first book box experience, you are giving them far more than a book. You are giving them the chance to step inside a story, experience it in a completely new way, and perhaps discover a love of reading that stays with them for years to come.

After all, books have been bringing our imaginations to life for generations. We’re just very lucky to have spent the last ten years helping make that magic feel a little more real.