Have a Holiday Idea? Submit and Get It Voted In!
Submit & Vote
.svg)
Unleash imagination and nurture curiosity during Children’s Book Week! Dive into whimsical tales that both enlighten and entertain.
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!
<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>
<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>
<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>
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
