National Young Readers Day is observed on the second Tuesday in November, encouraging parents, teachers, and communities to spend time reading with children and nurturing a lifelong love of books.
History of National Young Readers Day
National Young Readers Day was founded in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The observance grew out of the Year of the Young Reader, a national initiative launched in 1988 when Congress passed Public Law 100-662, designating 1989 as a year dedicated to encouraging young people’s love of reading. National Young Readers Day became the culminating event of that year-long celebration, alongside National Young Readers Week, which surrounds the day.
Since then, schools, libraries, and community organizations across the country have continued the tradition, hosting reading events, book fairs, and volunteer reading programs aimed at getting children excited about books, especially at a time when screens and digital entertainment increasingly compete for their attention.
How to Celebrate National Young Readers Day
- Read aloud to a child, whether your own or through a volunteer program
- Visit a local library and let a child pick out a new book
- Organize or attend a school reading event or book fair
- Donate gently used children’s books to a classroom or shelter
- Share a favorite childhood book with a young reader in your life
Fun Facts About National Young Readers Day
- National Young Readers Day was founded in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book.
- The observance grew out of the Year of the Young Reader, established by Congress in 1988.
- The day falls on the second Tuesday in November, within the broader National Young Readers Week.
- Some community programs, like one run by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, have read to tens of thousands of students since the early 2000s.
- Early reading with children has been linked to stronger vocabulary, better academic performance, and greater confidence later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Young Readers Day?
National Young Readers Day is observed on the second Tuesday in November each year.
Who founded National Young Readers Day?
Pizza Hut and the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book founded the observance in 1989, growing out of the Year of the Young Reader initiative.
What’s a simple way to participate?
Reading aloud to a child, visiting a library together, or donating children’s books to a school or shelter are all simple, meaningful ways to participate.