Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, 2 April, International Children's Book Day is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. Each year a different country member has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of International Children's Book Day. The country decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and invites a well-known illustrator to design a poster.