'International Children's Book Day' April 2

📚 International Children’s Book Day – April 2

International Children’s Book Day is celebrated each year on April 2nd, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. The day is all about celebrating the magic of books, encouraging reading for pleasure, and recognising how stories can spark imagination, memories, and meaningful conversation.

For people living with dementia, children’s books can be especially powerful. Their familiar themes, gentle narratives, and often early-life connections make them ideal for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). They can prompt reminiscence, emotional responses, and shared storytelling - whether through reading aloud, looking at illustrations, or simply recalling favourite characters.

🎶 CST Song Of The Day: “Morningtown Ride” – The New Seekers

A perfect pairing for the day is “Morningtown Ride”, a warm, nostalgic song about a peaceful train journey where everyone is gently lulled to sleep. It links beautifully with the classic children’s story The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, a tale full of adventure, family bonds, and the romance of steam trains.

The song’s soothing rhythm and imagery of travel, safety, and togetherness can evoke strong feelings of comfort and nostalgia - ideal for CST sessions. It offers lots of opportunities for engagement:

• 🚂 Reminiscence: “Did you travel by train as a child?” “What journeys do you remember?”

• 📖 Story links: Discuss The Railway Children - the setting, the children, and the importance of kindness and community

• 🎶 Singalong: The gentle, repetitive chorus makes it easy and enjoyable to join in

• 💬 Emotional connection: Explore feelings of safety, childhood, and simpler times

✨ Why this works for CST

Both the song and the story tap into early memories and shared cultural experiences - key ingredients for effective cognitive stimulation. Combining music with literature creates a rich, multi-sensory activity that supports memory, mood, and social interaction.

A simple, comforting pairing—a story, a song, and a shared journey.

📚 The Best Children’s Books – Timeless Classics That Stay With Us

The very best children’s books are more than just stories - they become part of who we are. From the moment we first hear them, these classics weave themselves into our memories, often staying with us for a lifetime. Whether read aloud at bedtime, discovered at school, or revisited later in life, they are deeply ingrained in our imagination and emotions.

Stories like The Railway Children, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit have a timeless quality. Their characters, settings, and themes feel familiar - even decades later. They remind us of childhood wonder, curiosity, and the simple joy of storytelling.

For many people, especially those living with dementia, these books can unlock powerful memories. A single title, illustration, or line can trigger recollections of family, school days, or quiet moments of comfort. That’s why they work so beautifully in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) - they are shared cultural touchstones that bring people together.

These classics are:

• 🌟 Familiar – often known across generations

• 💭 Memory-rich – linked to early life experiences

• ❤️ Emotionally resonant – full of warmth, adventure, and meaning

• 🗣️ Great for discussion – sparking conversation and reminiscence

In a world that’s always changing, these stories remain constant—treasured, comforting, and forever part of our collective memory.

💬 CST Questions

• “Which of these thirty classic children's books have you read and which is your favourite?"

• “What other children's books would you add to this list?”

• “Which of the movies based on these books is your favourite?"

• "Which characters stand out to you most?"

🎵📚 For Every Good Book There’s a Great Song

For every good book, there’s a great song that captures its spirit. Stories and music have always gone hand in hand - both have the power to transport us, stir emotions, and stay with us long after the moment has passed. When we pair a well-loved book with the right piece of music, something special happens… the story comes alive in a whole new way.

Think of the adventure and freedom of The Railway Children alongside the gentle rhythm of “Morningtown Ride” by The New Seekers, or the dreamlike world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland reflected in “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles. These pairings help us feel the story as much as remember it.

For Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), this combination is especially powerful. Books spark recognition and storytelling, while music taps into emotion and memory - together creating a rich, engaging experience that encourages conversation, reminiscence, and connection.

• 📖 Books give us the story, characters, and imagination

• 🎶 Songs bring emotion, rhythm, and familiarity

• 💬 Together they unlock memories and shared experiences

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It’s a simple but effective idea—match a story with a song, and you create a moment that’s both meaningful and memorable.

💬 CST Questions

• “Which of these songs is best?"

• “Which of these songs are the best match for the classic children's book?”

• “Are there any songs you would change?"

• "Which of these songs do you want to listen to?"

To bring the session to a gentle close, it’s nice to reflect on how stories and songs stay with us throughout our lives. The books we loved as children - like The Railway Children or Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - often leave lasting impressions, not just in our memory but in how they made us feel. When we pair them with music, such as “Morningtown Ride” by The New Seekers, those feelings can come back even more strongly - bringing comfort, familiarity, and a sense of shared experience.

Music and storytelling together create a powerful combination for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. While books help us recall characters, places, and moments, music taps into emotion and rhythm - often reaching parts of memory that remain strong even when others fade. That’s why these sessions can feel so meaningful: they connect us not just to the past, but to each other in the present moment.

Ending on a calm, positive note helps everyone leave the session feeling relaxed and included. A final song, a shared thought, or a simple memory can provide that sense of closure - like the end of a good story, where everything gently comes together.

💬 CST Closing Questions

• “What have you enjoyed most today - the story, the song, or the memories?”

• “Did anything we talked about remind you of a special time in your life?”

• “Which book or song would you like to revisit again?”

• “How did the music make you feel - calm, happy, nostalgic?”

• “If you could share one story or song with someone else, what would it be?”

A simple, warm finish - a shared reflection, a familiar tune, and a moment of connection.