Celebrating International Literacy Day 2026 and the Amazing Power of Science Communication
Everything Dinosaur is celebrating International Literacy Day 2026. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of this important UNESCO initiative. International Literacy Day takes place annually on September the 8th. It provides an opportunity to recognise the importance of literacy and its role in sharing knowledge and understanding different cultures.
The 2026 theme is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”. Moreover, this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on six decades of progress.
Two marvellous books about prehistoric animals to celebrate International Literacy Day. The “Secret Lives of Dinosaurs” is the second collaboration between Dr Dean Lomax and Bob Nicholls examining remarkable fossils. The first book to be published was the highly successful “Locked in Time”. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
International Literacy Day 2026
International Literacy Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966. Annual celebrations began the following year. Today, events take place all over the world. UNESCO regards literacy as a fundamental human right. Furthermore, literacy provides a foundation for acquiring broader knowledge, skills and understanding.
Despite considerable progress, significant challenges remain. UNESCO reports that at least 739 million young people and adults worldwide lacked basic literacy skills in 2024. In addition, four in ten children are not achieving minimum proficiency in reading.
The sixtieth anniversary therefore provides an important opportunity to celebrate progress. It is a diamond jubilee! However, it also highlights how much work remains to be done.
To read more about International Literacy Day visit the official UNESCO website: International Literacy Day (UNESCO).
Celebrating Science Communication
For Everything Dinosaur, International Literacy Day also provides an opportunity to celebrate science communication. Scientific research expands our knowledge of the world. Moreover, discoveries have a much wider impact when researchers can communicate them effectively.
Books, scientific papers, magazines, websites and other publications help make research accessible. They can take complex subjects and introduce them to new audiences. We have played a small role ourselves. For example, we have helped to fund scientific research.
Everything Dinosaur team members have helped fund scientific research. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
This is especially important in palaeontology and the Earth sciences in general. A newly published scientific paper might describe a fossil discovery or name a new species. Subsequently, science writers can help explain that research to a much wider audience. In our own small way, we try to help promote and publicise new research and fossil discoveries.
For example, we recently wrote a blog post about a remarkable fish skull fossil found in Yorkshire: Roundhay Park Coelacanth Fossil Discovery.
In addition, our blog recently featured an article announcing a new species of ichthyosaur: A New Species of Jabalisaurus Links Germany and Mexico.
Effective science communication can inspire questions and encourage further learning. Perhaps most importantly, it can spark a lifelong fascination with science.
Thank You to Authors, Editors and Publishers
International Literacy Day 2026 gives us the chance to recognise everyone involved in producing books and other written resources. Authors and science writers deserve enormous credit. They translate complex ideas into engaging and understandable narratives.
However, producing a book requires a team. Editors help shape the text. There is the painstaking search for errors. The role of a proof reader cannot be underestimated. Illustrators and palaeoartists help readers visualise unfamiliar worlds and concepts. Designers create attractive and accessible layouts. Meanwhile, publishers bring these different elements together and make the finished work available to readers.
Of course, researchers also play a crucial role. Their studies provide the evidence upon which science writing is based. Therefore, on International Literacy Day, we celebrate all those involved in transforming research and ideas into accessible knowledge.
Taking a few minutes break to dive into a book all about Mesozoic marine reptiles. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Time to Inspire the Next Generation
Books can have a profound influence on young people. For example, a child’s first dinosaur book could introduce unfamiliar words such as Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops or palaeontology. Their curiosity might encourage them to read further. One book leads to another. Questions are asked and new ideas are explored. That initial fascination might even lead to a future career in the Earth sciences.
Everything Dinosaur has always championed education and effective science communication. We recognise the tremendous contribution made by writers, researchers, artists, editors, illustrators and publishers.
After all, scientific knowledge becomes even more powerful when it can be shared.
So, on the sixtieth anniversary of International Literacy Day, we say thank you to everyone who helps put knowledge into our hands.
And, of course, we thoroughly recommend getting your nose into a good book about prehistoric animals!
Happy International Literacy Day 2026.
The multi-award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Inspirational Prehistoric Animal Models.
