Term 2 is here, and what better way to energise your school community than by filling your library calendar with exciting, meaningful, and just plain fun dates to celebrate? We’ve rounded up a fantastic mix of cultural, historical, and light-hearted occasions to help you create a vibrant, inclusive environment for your students, all paired with book recommendations to match!
From World Refugee Day to Star Wars Day, there’s something for every reader and every mood. Whether you’re highlighting important milestones or simply looking to add some joy to the school day, these dates are a great way to spark curiosity, connection, and a love of reading.
So grab your calendar, get those highlighters ready, and prepare for a term full of stories, smiles, and celebration.
P.S. We’ve made it even easier by creating a downloadable monthly calendar for Term 2 because we know educators have enough on their plates.
Earth Day is a global event to promote environmental awareness and action.
To help students learn about the importance of protecting our planet, you can read the book "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a man who falls asleep while trying to cut down a giant tree in the rainforest, and the animals who live in the tree trying to convince him to spare it.
International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in April every year to promote the involvement of young girls and women in the field of Information and Communication Technology.
To celebrate this day, we recommend "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty, a book that highlights the importance of technology and the role of girls and women in this field.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
To help students understand the significance of this day, you can read the book "The Last ANZAC" by Gordon Winch. This book tells the story of the last surviving ANZAC soldier and his memories of serving in World War I.
May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day is a day for Star Wars fans to celebrate and share their love of the franchise.
To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "Star Wars: A New Hope" by Geof Smith. This illustrated adaptation of the classic film is perfect for introducing young readers to the Star Wars universe.
Mother's Day is a day to honour and appreciate mothers and mother figures.
To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. This touching story celebrates the special bond between a mother and her child, and the unconditional love that they share.
International Day of Families is a day to promote the importance of families and their well-being.
To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "The Family Book" by Todd Parr. This book celebrates all types of families, from single-parent families to same-sex parent families and encourages children to love and appreciate their own families.
This event promotes the benefits of regular physical activity, reduces traffic congestion and pollution around schools, and teaches children about road safety.
To celebrate National Walk Safely to School Day with your students, you can read the book "Freya and Zoose" by Emily Butler. The story follows Freya, a young girl who loves walking to school with her dog, Zoose. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and learn about the importance of being aware of their surroundings and staying safe.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an exciting annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) that brings together children, schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country to promote the joy of reading. Each year, a picture book written and illustrated by an Australian author is read simultaneously in different venues.
This year's book is “The Truck Cat" by Deborah Frenkel, is a heartwarming story about cats, humans, and the search for belonging. Tinka the cat and his human, Yacoub, travel together across cities and countryside, always on the move. But no matter where they go, home still feels far away. When they’re suddenly separated, Tinka and Yacoub set out to find each other again. Along the way, they might just discover something even more important than the place they call home.
National Sorry Day is a day of remembrance and apology for the mistreatment of Indigenous children and families through forced removal policies.
To help students understand the impact of these policies and the importance of saying sorry, you can read the book "Say Yes: A Story of Friendship, Fairness, and a Vote for Hope" by Jennifer Castles. This book tells the story of a group of Indigenous Australians who fought for the right to vote in the 1967 referendum.
The Global Day of Parents celebrates the role of parents in raising and nurturing children. This day recognises the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that parents make every day to provide for their families.
"Just Me and My Dad" by Mercer Mayer is a sweet and funny story that celebrates the special bond between a father and his child. The story follows a young bear and his father as they embark on a camping trip together, experiencing all sorts of fun adventures and mishaps along the way.
World Environment Day is a day to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and the natural resources that sustain us.
"The Earth Book" by Todd Parr is a fun and colourful book that teaches children about the environment and what they can do to help protect it. This book is a great way to inspire your students to be environmentally conscious and take action to make a difference in their communities.
Best Friend's Day is a day to celebrate the special bond between friends and the importance of friendship in our lives.
"The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst is a heart-warming story that celebrates the power of love and connection between friends, family, and loved ones. This book is a great way to promote the importance of friendship and encourage your students to appreciate the special relationships they have in their lives.
World Refugee Day is a day to raise awareness about the plight of refugees around the world and to celebrate their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
"The Journey" by Francesca Sanna is a powerful and moving story that explores the experience of a family forced to flee their home and seek refuge in a new country. This book is a great way to promote empathy and understanding for refugees and encourage your students to think about how they can help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
World Music Day is a day to celebrate the universal language of music and its ability to bring people together from all walks of life.
"Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin" by Lloyd Moss is a fun and engaging book that introduces children to the world of music and different types of instruments. This book is a great way to inspire your students to appreciate music and its ability to bring joy and unity to people all around the world.
We hope this blog has given you a few fresh ideas to help plan and celebrate special days in your library this term.
Now, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you’ve set up a colourful display, run a themed book club, or held a reading challenge, we’d be thrilled to see how you’re bringing these moments to life in your school.
Send us your photos, ideas, or stories at communications@softlinkint.com, we’re always inspired by the creativity and passion of school library teams like yours.
Thank you for everything you do to support literacy and create a love of reading in your school community.
If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out our Special Days to Celebrate in your School Library - Term 1 blog as well!