Dear friends and partners in reading
It’s story time!
Get ready to share the magic and celebrate the joy of reading aloud. World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is celebrated internationally on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, and we want you to be a part of the celebration.
When you read a story to a child, you do more than just share words on a page, you build connections, spark curiosity, and set them up for a lifetime of learning and success.
The Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA) Literacy Committee is once again excited to collaborate with Nal’ibali to celebrate the power of stories. The simple, interactive experience of sharing a book is more important than ever. It’s a chance for all of us, children and adults alike to connect, imagine, and play!
Why is reading aloud so powerful? Many studies have shown that reading for pleasure is a cornerstone of a child’s development. However, beyond that, it’s FUN!
As teachers, parents, librarians, booksellers, publishers, authors, illustrators, and reading champions, your voice has the power to light a spark. We look forward to working together to transform reading from a solitary act into a shared, joyful adventure.
Here’s how you can join the fun:
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Block off Wednesday, 4th February 2026
- PLAN YOUR ACTIVATION: Host story time at your local school, read with your children in the evening, or create a special event with your local library or bookshop. Big or small, every read-aloud counts.
- SHOUT ABOUT IT: Post your plans, photos, and videos across your social media platforms. Let’s get #WorldReadAloudDay trending.
- USE THE HASHTAGS: Be sure to use #wrad2026 and #nalibaliwrad2026 to share your activations
Please pledge your commitment and find resources by visiting the Nal’ibali WRAD page: Pledge link.
Look out for more information from us soon, including fun activity ideas.
Together, we can ensure that every child in South Africa experiences the wonder and joy of having a story read to them.
Yours in literacy
PASA Literacy Committee