World Read Aloud Day 2025 Tips and Recommendations

Dear readers,

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is happening on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 and we are beyond excited to celebrate it! This day acts as a communal celebration of literature, bringing people together in libraries, schools, and communities to commemorate the joy of reading and storytelling, while also spotlighting authors and the wealth of literature available worldwide. We want to inspire families to celebrate this day in the comfort of their own homes as well. Further on in this newsletter, you can find tips on what families and schools can do on WRAD, as well as some book recommendations from our shelves. 

WRAD holds significant importance as it highlights the fundamental role of literacy in both personal and educational development. By encouraging people to read aloud, this event promotes not just reading as a skill, but also as an enjoyable and interactive activity. Reading aloud improves language skills, such as vocabulary and comprehension, for individuals of all ages. It also fosters storytelling and listening skills, creating a platform for exchanging personal narratives and cultural tales. Participating in this event can enhance empathy and understanding, as it allows individuals to explore diverse perspectives and experiences through literature. 

WRAD was founded by LitWorld, a nonprofit organization focused on global literacy, in 2010,  making this the 15th anniversary of the campaign. Locally, Pan Macmillan is heeding the call from Nal’ibali to sign their pledge to participate in WRAD on 5 February. You can join us and do so by visiting their website and sharing your intentions for the day. By pledging to Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for “here’s the story”), you help them track and analyse data around this wonderful campaign. You also gain access to a special story created for this day, available in all 11 official spoken languages of South Africa. Follow this link: Nal'ibali. Share your WRAD activities online using these hashtags: 

#wrad2025 #WRAD2025SA #nalibaliwrad2025 

If you want to celebrate WRAD at home, or at your school, but can’t think of how to do that – don’t fret! We’ve got some ideas. And if you are in the market for a book recommendation, we’ve got you covered!  

TIPS FOR FAMILIES

• Put it in the diary! Mark it on your calendar and create a countdown to build excitement. Make sure everyone in the house knows it’s a big deal. 
• Choose a special book for WRAD and set it aside. You can do this democratically, use a family favourite or surprise the kids with a new book. 
• Create a cosy reading nook and instill a culture of using it. You can inaugurate it on WRAD and even make setting it up part of the fun! 
• Discuss stories and storytelling at the dinner table in the days leading up to WRAD. 
• On the day, remind everyone that a special event is taking place that evening and tell them to report to the reading nook at a specific time. After bathtime is best (nothing screams reading like comfy pj’s!). 
• Take turns reading aloud and get everyone involved. If the youngest can’t read yet, have them tell a story inspired by the pictures in the book. 
• After the day, talk about the wonderful memories of reading aloud together and discuss making it a monthly event. 
• Share your new family tradition with your extended family and friends, and post online using the hashtags. 

TIPS FOR SCHOOLS

• Ask kids to nominate their favourite books to be read aloud. 
• Turn the selection process into a fun competition and create badges for different kinds of readers, making sure to be inclusive of all skill levels. 
• Invite an author, another teacher or a loved community member to read to kids. 
• Organise a special assembly to read aloud together. 
• Select a theme for stories to align with. 
• Incentivise readers with book prizes. 
• Ring the bell at a predetermined time and make an announcement that everyone will be reading for a specific allocated time. 
• Use an unusual meeting spot for reading time. 
• Have older kids team up with younger kids as reading buddies. 
• Include it in the official school calendar. 
• Share photos or videos online using the hashtags and be part of the bigger picture. 

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PAN MACMILLAN'S SHELVES:

Preschool:

• All That I Am: A Collection of Poems and Songs edited by Refiloe Moahloli
• This is a Book About Monsters by Jaco Jacobs
• Big Shoes To Fill by Upile uThixo Bongco

Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3, ages 5 to 9):

• As Long As It's Not A Dog by Jaco Jacobs                                                
• Dit Is Nie `n Boek Nie by Jaco Jacobs                                                 
• The Very, Very Funny Book by Jaco Jacobs                                                  
• Zandi's Song by Zandile Ndhlovu    
• How To Stop A Train by Stephanie Ebert & Kathryn Pillay 

Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 To 6, Ages 10 To 12): 

• Die Drie Van Ons by Zelda Bezuidenhout                                 
• Fluffy by Jaco Jacobs                                                  
• Madcap by Jaco Jacobs                                                  
• Monster Hair by Jaco Jacobs                                                    
• Stinky Socks by Jaco Jacobs                                               
• Boeliebief: Sewe Snaakse Stories by Jaco Jacobs                                                
• The Girl With Wings by Jaco Jacobs                                                 
• The Bookshop In The Clouds by Jaco Jacobs                                                 
• Grandpa Zombie by Jaco Jacobs                                                    
• Part Of A Team by Refiloe Moahloli                                                  
• Know My Name by Refiloe Moahloli     

Senior Phase (Grades 7 To 9, Ages 13 To 15):

• Die Fantastiese Verdwyning Van Charlie Prins by Jaco Jacobs                                              
• Born A Crime Young Readers by Trevor Noah                                                    
• When You Dream by Daniella van Heerden & Megan Werner   

 FET Phase (Grades 10 To 12, Ages 16 To 18):

• We Have Everything We Need To Start Again by Koleka Putuma
• Die Meisie Met Uitroeptekens In Haar Oë en ander stories by Various Authors  
• Toe Ons Oneindig Was by Zelda Bezuidenhout                                             
• Ek Sal Vir Jou Veg by Cliffordene Norton                                             
• Om Jou Te Ken by Cliffordene Norton        

Adults: 

• Spud – The Reunion by John van der Ruit
• The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil by Shubnum Khan
• you get better with love by Duduzile Noeleen Ngwenya
• Prescription: Ice Cream by Alastair McAlpine

The most important thing to remember when thinking about World Read Aloud Day is that reading is a fun activity, and reading aloud doubles the fun by involving the community and people around you. Whatever you end up doing on 5 February, and whichever book you end up reading, remember to have FUN. Whether you are a word wizard, a story seeker, a chapter collector or simply a page explorer, all readers are celebrated on WRAD!

Lots of love, 

Pan Macmillan SA

PS: Follow us on social media for your daily dose of bookish content. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram by looking for Pan Macmillan Kids SA.  And when posting about WRAD, remember to use the official hashtags

#wrad2025 #WRAD2025SA #nalibaliwrad2025