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Children’s Book Week

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

Monday

3–9

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEChildren's Book Week (CBC, 1st Mon May, 7-day)

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for the magical beginning of Children's Book Week starting from May 2! Going strong since 1919, this is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Devoted to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children, the week encourages young minds to journey into the enchanting world of literature. The excitement of turning a page, the joy of discovering new characters, and the limitless adventure afforded by beautifully-illustrated stories is what makes this week so special. Champions of the written word, let's celebrate this fantastic week by diving into whimsical tales that both enlighten and entertain!

TIMELINE

Children’s Book Week Timeline

Inception of Children's Book Week

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.

First Children's Book Awards

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.

Introduction of International Books

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.

51st Children's Book Week

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.

Major Milestone for Diversity

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.

Children's Book Council Involvement

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.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Children’s Book Week

Dress up as your favorite character

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.

CREATE

Create a storybook picnic

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.

MAKE

Make a book-themed craft

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!

HOST

Host bedtime story night

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.

STAGE

Stage a mini play

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!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Children’s Book Week

Encourages Family Togetherness

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.

Celebrates Creativity and Imagination

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.

Inspires a Love for Reading

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.

Related holidays

National Young Readers Week

Dive into adventures and unlock imagination during National Young Readers Week! Nurture the love for books in our young minds, one page at a time.

International Children’s Book Day

Get ready to ignite your child's imagination and love for reading on International Children's Book Day - with new adventures waiting on every page!

Children’s Picture Book Day

Get ready to dive into a world of imagination and wonder on Children's Picture Book Day - the perfect day to share stories and create memories with your little ones!

National Book Week

Unlock the magic of stories during National Book Week! Immerse in fabulous tales and embark on countless literary adventures!

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