In keeping with founder Frederic Melcher’s fundamental idea that “A great nation is a reading nation”, this year's Children's Book Week officially kicks off on May 11, 2009 and will conclude on May 17. Here is a look at this year's festivities and how young readers and their parents, as well as schools and libraries can participate.
This Year's Featured Children's Book Week Activities
Children's Book Week became an annual event in 1919, with the simple concept that books, especially children's books, have the incredible power to transform lives. This year marks the week's 90th celebration and some of this year's national events and activities include:
- Children's Book Week in New York. Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, along with nine other authors and children's book illustrators will convene in New York City's Bryant Park on Saturday May 9 to kick off the week's activities. The event is free and open to the public.
- Children's Choice Book Awards Gala. This year is the Week's second annual Children's Choice Book Awards Gala and will be held in Manhattan's Edison Ball Room on May 12. Tickets to attend the awards must be purchased for a fee of $300. The winners will be announced publicly on May 13.
- Children's Book Week in Chicago. May 12 and 13, the Week's events will be centered in Chicago where Barbara Clark, storyteller, will participate in three literary events in the area to celebrate Children's Book Week and the 40th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards. These events are free and open to the public.
- Children's Book Week in Seattle. On May 14, Jon Scieszka makes a visit to Seattle to celebrate the Week with teachers at a local bookstore.
- Children's Book Week in Boston. To officially close out the Week's events, Boston will host their own event, in partnership with the Massachusetts Center for the Book and Boston Public Library, which will include talks by nine authors. This event is also free and open to the public.
Information regarding these specific events can be found on the Week's website.
How Parents, Libraries and Schools Can Participate in Children's Book Week
Promoting literacy among children is vital year round, and some ideas for further participation include:
- Encourage children to vote for their favorite book in the Children's Choice Awards.
- Read books that appear on the Children's Choice reading list.
- Make reading fun! Puzzles and games are also available on the Children's Book Week website. They are updated often, so a new challenge is just around the corner.
- Host a book exchange day where participants can swap their books with others.
- Donate unused books to libraries, schools, shelters and other local organizations.
There are plenty of fun ways to encourage children to read and using Children's Book Week as a starting point is a great way to begin a lifelong love of reading.
Lisa Rufle - If I had to describe myself in one word, it would easily be: curious. So as a natural extension of my curiosity, reading is my life's ...
