2020 LEAPLINGS, PREPARE TO LEAP THIS LEAP YEAR!
Another leap year is again upon us and I’ve rounded up some of my favorite books for children about leap years and leap year babies.
What is a leapling? What is a leap year?
A leapling (also leaper, leapster, or Leap Day baby) is a person born on Leap Day, February 29th, in a Leap Year. 2020 is a Leap Year, when we add a day at the end of February to keep the months in sync with the seasons over time.
You know, of course, that the earth’s orbit around the sun is 365.242189 days, so we need to add some time periodically to catch up. Here is the rule:
Years exactly divisible by four are leap years, unless they are evenly divisible by 100. But if they are evenly divisible by 100 AND are evenly divisible by 400 (e.g. 1600 and 2000) they ARE a Leap Year.
Are your eyes glazing over yet? Mine are, so let’s talk about the leaplings.
leaplings
The chances of being born on February 29th are about 1 in 1,461. To be born on this day is quite unique, and leaplings can use all their creativity making it a special one. It’s not without some down sides, like the inevitable teasing about being only two years old on their second leap year birthday. When they turn 84, of course, they’ve only just reached their majority and should start acting like a grownup.
In common years (non-leap years) leaplings can choose whether to celebrate their birthday in February on the 28th or on March 1st – or on any other day. Most of the party ideas I’ve seen for younger children have a frog theme, with leaping games and green party food. Others suggest creating a time capsule to be opened on the next February 29th, or doing something unique and memorable on this “extra” day.
leap year resources
The best resource for all things about Leap Day is www.leapyearday.com, which is edited and produced by Raenell Dawn and Peter Brouwer, both born on Leap Year Day. They are co-founders of the Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies, and have amassed lots of information, trivia, and ways to cope with as well as celebrate Leap Day.
leap year Books
Like leaplings, books about Leap Year birthdays are rare, so much so that several were written by parents of Leap Day babies for their children.
This was my favorite of the books for younger readers. Leopold the frog can’t understand why his birthday, February 29th, doesn’t appear on the calendar, and why he has celebrated one birthday and not four like his peers.
An imaginative adventure centered around a special boy born on February 29th and his inventive uncle.
Miles was born on February 29th, and his “second” birthday finally arrives – but is he two or is he actually eight years old?
This author’s son was born on Leap Day, and she wrote this to help answer some of the questions he had about his special birthday.
Join Leap as he searches out a special day for his friends, and learns about calendars and Leap Day on the way.
A collection of information all about Leap Day and Leap Year, with trivia, traditions, famous leaplings, and events that occurred on the day.
Great to give as a gift to others or yourself – something fun to enjoy on a rare day!
Enjoy your Leap Year Day on the 29th! For more special day book recommendations check out The Best Groundhog Day Books for Kids.