Children’s Book Week

Unleash imagination and nurture curiosity during Children’s Book Week! Dive into whimsical tales that both enlighten and entertain.

When it is?

May 2

History of Children’s Book Week

Children’s Book Week Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1919</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Children's Book Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>Children's Book Week was founded by Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of Boy Scouts of America. The goal was to promote higher standards in children's books and inspire the love of reading from a young age.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Children's Book Awards</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first award for excellence in American children's books, the Caldecott Medal, was established to honor the most distinguished picture book for children published in the United States within a given year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of International Books</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Mildred L. Batchelder Award was created to recognize outstanding books for young people translated into English from other languages, facilitating the introduction of international books to children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>51st Children's Book Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>The annual celebration expanded to two weeks to give people more opportunities to celebrate, participate, and cultivate a love for reading and children's literature.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1989</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Major Milestone for Diversity</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Coretta Scott King Award was launched, honoring African American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation for African American culture and universal human values.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Children's Book Council Involvement</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Children's Book Council started overseeing Children’s Book Week, further expanding the reach of the event and reinforcing its commitment to literacy and a love of reading among young people.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Children’s Book Week

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dress up as your favorite character</h3><p class='facts-text'>Encourage your child to pay homage to their favorite book character by dressing up. It could be Harry Potter, Matilda, Sherlock Holmes or anyone else who is close to their heart.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a storybook picnic</h3><p class='facts-text'>Organize a picnic featuring foods from your child’s favorite books. Think Turkish Delight from The Chronicles of Narnia, Green Eggs and Ham from Dr. Seuss, or even the Gruffalo crumble.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Make a book-themed craft</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get creative with craft materials and make items pulled straight out of your child’s favorite book. This might be a paper witch’s house, a lion face mask, or a cardboard rocket ship!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host bedtime story night</h3><p class='facts-text'>Bedtime stories become even more magical when done under the stars. Set up a blanket in your garden, turn on some fairy lights, and let the enchantment of the words take over.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stage a mini play</h3><p class='facts-text'>Encourage your children to put on a performance of their favorite book for the family. They can dress up as characters, rehearse lines, and even make props for added fun!</p></div></div>

Why We Love Children’s Book Week

<div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 class='whywelove-title'>Celebrates Creativity and Imagination </h3><p class='whywelove-text'>Children's Book Week emphasizes the importance of creativity and imagination in child's development, encouraging them to explore different worlds, characters, and situations through the engaging stories.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 class='whywelove-title'>Inspires a Love for Reading </h3><p class='whywelove-text'>This special week provides a great opportunity to instill a lifelong love of reading within children. By creating exciting activities around books, kids will associate reading with fun, learning to cherish this valuable skill.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Family Togetherness </h3><p class='whywelove-text'>Countless activities during Children’s Book Week such as storytelling nights, dress-up days or book-themed crafts allow families to spend quality time together. This shared experience strengthens bonds and creates memories to last a lifetime.</p></div></div>

5 Enchanting Facts for Children's Book Week

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Children's Book Week is Celebrated Internationally</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though it originated in the USA, Children's Book Week is celebrated in various countries across the world, including Australia and the Netherlands, promoting literacy and a love for reading globally.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Every Year Features a Different Theme</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each year, the celebration of Children's Book Week revolves around a particular theme, inspiring a variety of educational and fun activities and promoting diverse aspects of literature and reading.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Children's Book Authors and Illustrators Often Take Part</h3><p class='facts-content'>During this week, authors and illustrators often visit schools, libraries, and bookstores to read their works, host workshops or sign books, offering children a unique insight into the world of children's literature.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Children's Book Week Has Its Own Official Poster</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each year, a well-known children's book illustrator is chosen to design an official poster for Children’s Book Week. These posters often become collectible items among book enthusiasts.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Children Often Participate in Book-Related Competitions</h3><p class='facts-content'>Throughout the week, children across the country take part in numerous competitions related to books and literacy. These can range from writing contest to drawing characters, storytelling, and reading challenges.</p></div></div>