World Book Day April 23, 1564, is the day English poet, playwright, and actor William Shakespeare was born. Fifty-three short years later, also on April 23, 1616, the playwright died. For this reason, among others, it was a natural choice for UNESCO to create World Book Day to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this day. Learn more about World Book Day here. #ProjectReadathon In the U.S, Canada and Mexico, we’re celebrating World Book Day with #ProjectReadathon, the one-week reading and giving initiative. As of April 17, readers have been visiting the specially created online reading platform and reading timed excerpts from our books and authors to trigger book donations to Save the Children. We are excited to announce that with over 800,000 minutes of reading so far, we are well on our way to our one million minutes goal. St. Jordi Day In Spain’s Catalonia region, World Book Day is marked by roses, books, and lovers. On St Jordi Day, the people of Catalonia celebrate the day of their patron saint, Sant Jordi, with a unique tradition. On 23 April, couples exchange gifts: a book for the men and a rose for the women. Book and flower stalls are set up along the streets of Barcelona for a vibrant celebration. Learn more about St. Jordi Day here. World Book Night In the U.K., World Book Night takes place on April 23. The national celebration of reading and books is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers. Learn more about World Book Night here. We hope you will join us in a global celebration of books and reading on April 23. 

Starting today, readers can visit a new specially created online reading platform at ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com and read free, timed excerpts from over 200 Penguin Random House titles. We believe that the simple act of reading can have far-reaching social impact: which is why the more minutes a user reads, the more book donations are triggered from us to Save the Children – putting up to 300,000 books into the hands of children in need in the US, Canada and Mexico. How #ProjectReadathon Works:

• Each excerpt on the platform notes how many minutes will be added and how many books will be donated throughout the campaign.
• For example, reading a 20-minute excerpt unlocks a 5-book donation from Penguin Random House to Save the Children; reading an hour unlocks a 20-books donation.
• The books will go to Save the Children literacy programs, which help young students transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

Contributing Partners: Also joining the #ProjectReadathon Million Minutes campaign are Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause, two organizations that enable consumers to give back through everyday activities. Users will be invited to add minutes to the Project through reading at ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com, as well as through the Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause platforms for special in-app and on-platform opportunities. A Worldwide Celebration of Books and Giving Back: #ProjectReadathon takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico, and culminates on April 23 in honor of UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day, World Book Night (UK) and St. Jordi Day (Spain). Penguin Random House employees across the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Spain are taking part in local celebrations in honor of these events, as they join together in celebration of books and reading to give back to their local communities. Visit ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com now to join #ProjectReadathon and #ReadWell.