Print and digital books celebrated on World Book Day

Mar 3, 2016 | Arts, Life, News

Haley Falco

Worldwide readers are engaging in book-related activities today for the annual World Book Day celebration.

World Book Day recognizes authors, illustrators and books from around the world. Over 100 countries  join World Book Day, where children come together to appreciate reading.

Many children dressed up as their favourite character for school, and others attended author readings, which had children involved in reading and writing activities.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a study in 2011 that revealed 37 per cent of Canadian adults do not read for pleasure.

Sarah White, manager of the used bookstore Re-Reading in downtown Toronto, says that the sales of hard-copy books remain strong and will never go out of style.

“I own a Kindle but I never use it; it’s just collecting dust. It’s not the same to be holding a piece of technology as opposed to holding a physical book,” White told Humber News on Thursday.

E-readers are meant to be more accessible than a physical book, but White disagrees.

“I like knowing how far into the book I am. I like seeing how much I have left and how much is coming up. I find it more comfortable as well.”

Jasmin Bailey, second-year social service worker student at Fleming College reads paper books regularly.

“Reading is an escape from the real world. I love getting lost in a book and taking a break from my daily life.”

Not only does reading build academic intelligence, it also helps with communication, speech, concentration and discipline.

The newest generation is exposed to technology more than any other generation has growing up. World Book Day celebrates reading in all its forms to unite children with literacy.

Still considering the switch from a physical book to a digital one? Here are some simple ways you can give your old books a new use.