Read Your World Day 2026: Celebrating Diverse Children’s Books + Free Resources

Read Your World Day 2026 (formerly known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day) is here, and we’re excited to celebrate another year of discovering diverse stories and voices from around the world.

Now in its 14th year, Read Your World Day continues its mission of encouraging families, educators, and young readers to explore books that reflect the many cultures, identities, and experiences that make up our global community. Because this event is one of our favorites, we’re thrilled to be participating for our 8th year.

To celebrate, we’re reviewing Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards. Keep reading to learn more about the event, discover the FREE resources available to readers and educators, and find out why these books deserve a spot on your reading list.

You can read our book review here:

Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards

About Read Your World Book Day:

Read Your World 2026 (1/29/26) is in its 14th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded the non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Explore RYW’s mission and history HERE.

Read Your World 2026 (1/29/26) is in its 14th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Learn about our Mission and history HERE.

Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors:

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE:

Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)

Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Audrey Barbakoff, Federico Erebia, Teddi Ahrens, Stephanie M. Wildman, Maritza M. Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Storytime Podcast, Josh Funk, Frances Díaz Evans, Gaia Cornwall, Eric Clock, Maria Wen Adcock, Diana Huang, Gwen Jackson, Gea Meijering, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Ismee Williams, Karin Fisher-Golton, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Tami Lehman-Wilzig,  Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Nancy Tupper Ling, Teresa Robeson, Crystal Z. Lee, Karen Leggett Abouraya, Elly Swartz, Robbin Miller, Shifa Safadi, Tonya Ellis,Lisa Stringfellow, Sylvia Liu, Kimberly Biddle, Robbin Miller, Tonya Ellis, Nadine Pressley, Natahsa Yim Carter, and Lisa Chong.

Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations! 

Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day

📌 Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party:  https://readyourworld.org/virtualparty 

Join us on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8 pm EST celebrating 14 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.   

This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.

We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **

Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. 

Interested in more diverse reads?  Check out some of our prior Read Your World Day Picks 2024. 2025,

**Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.