Every year, for 97 years, children’s literature is celebrated during Children’s Book Week. This year, the event runs from May 2-8. Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Commemorative events and activities are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores and homes.
Each year, the Children’s Book Council enlists beloved children’s literature illustrators to design the commemorative Children’s Book Week Poster and Bookmark. Download the 2016 Book Week bookmark by Cece Bell and order your 2016 Poster by Brian Won.
About Children’s Book Week
In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in children’s books. He proposed creating a Children’s Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers and librarians.
In 1916, the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association sponsored a Good Book Week with the Boy Scouts of America. It became Children’s Book Week in 1919. In 1944, the newly-established Children’s Book Council assumed responsibility for administering Children’s Book Week. In 2008, Children’s Book Week moved from November to May. At that time, administration of Children’s Book Week, including planning official events and creating original materials, was transferred to Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council became a CBW anchor sponsor.
