What is World Kid Lit Month?

Every September is World Kid Lit Month, the time to explore international books for young people.

It’s the perfect time to read a children’s book from or set in another country, or a book translated into English from another language.

Read, recommend, share!

How to celebrate World Kid Lit Month?

However you like – the main thing is to share a love of reading as a way of broadening horizons. Here are three easy ways to get involved:

  1. Read a book from or set in another country, or translated from another language. If you liked it, share it!
  2. Recommend a book you’ve already read on social media! It can be a recent read or one from your childhood. What makes it international for you?
  3. Share a resource to help others explore international books for young people. Our website is absolutely packed with reading lists, book reviews, interviews, and links to other recommended sources. Delve in and get sharing!

Explorer Challenge: World Kid Lit Bingo!

If you’ve taken part in World Kid Lit Month before, or you’re already a seasoned explorer of children’s literature, why not go further this year, and set yourself an international kid lit reading challenge?

For ideas of what to read, you could use one of the 3 bingo charts above for reading prompts – there’s one for each age group. Or use this general one (orange) for themes across the age ranges, 0-18.

Set your own challenge and see what you can read within the timeframe you set for yourself: can you complete a color category? Get a line of three? Or all nine categories?

Please share what you read on social media so that others are inspired to join you! #WorldKidLitMonth

Team Challenge / Family Challenge

Are you a small team of co-workers interested in children’s literature? Or a family of readers looking for a group project to start together? The bingo charts above are perfect reading prompts for a group reading challenge! Between you, can you complete a color this September? Or maybe even read a book for each of the nine categories?

Please share what you’re reading on social media so that others are inspired to get involved! #WorldKidLitMonth

New for 2025: International Reading Award for Schools

The World Kid Lit Reading Award, launching in September 2025, is a new competition for schools to promote international and inclusive reading. See here for more details, including how to enter.

Spread the word!

If you’re writing about World Kid Lit Month in your newsletter or on social media, please feel free to use the graphics, blurbs and assets in the links below, or make your own.

World Kid Lit Month – social media assets
World Kid Lit Month – suggested text for newsletters & social media

Why is World Kid Lit Month in September?

September has lots of associations with language learning and cultural exchange. In the USA, September is National Translation Month. 26 September is European Day of Languages, and 30 September is both International Translation Day and St Jerome’s Day – the patron saint of translators!

For more ideas…