CHARLOTTE -- For hundreds of children around Charlotte, Sunday was a day to learn what it's like beyond the United States.

"It's like really fun to learn about different things," participant Yakin Ouedni said.

The ImaginOn library hosted this year’s Day of the Children, an international celebration that promotes literacy and the importance of linking children to books.

"This is a celebration for all children, so we're having different events, different workshops," said public library bilingual specialist Veronica Corral.

Corral says ImaginOn has celebrated Day of the Children for 10 years.

"It's celebrated in about 144 countries across the world and the whole purpose is for every nation to see the importance of children, their well-being, and for children to exchange who they are with other children," she said.

Both parents and children took part in various activities, from listening to a Hispanic children’s book author from Mexico to learning how to apply henna from North Africa.

"I think it's really important to so they can learn about how other people are living and maybe they can actually go there and see the different lifestyle," Ouedni said.

Anthony Clarke brought his 2-year-old son, Quentin, to ImaginOn to see what the Day of Children is all about.

"Diversity is important,” he said. “So the fact that you have lots of kids that are running around and playing and different types of authors and different types of experiences is so cool."

The event also featured performances from international dance troops, storytelling, workshops and activities for children, their families and teachers.