Coastin Carl
👧 CHILDREN’s BOOK Week ORIGIN & HISTORY
CHILDREN’s BOOK Week is typically celebrated the 1st Full week in May. This annual US event promotes children’s literacy and the joy of reading. It often involves visits from authors, book fairs, storytelling sessions, and reading challenges in schools, libraries, and bookstores.
If you’re looking to participate, keep an eye out for happenings and promotions around this time! This event has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century.
BIRTH of the Day
CHILDREN’s BOOK Week was founded in 1919 by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) to encourage children to develop a love for reading and books. The idea for the event originated from Franklin K Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, who proposed the creation of a Children’s Book Week to celebrate children’s books and the importance of reading.
EARLY Years
The roots of the week stretch back to 1913, when Matthiews began touring the US to promote reading. With the help of the American Library Association and booksellers, a national celebration of children’s literature took shape.
In 1916, Matthiews organized the first National Storytelling Day, which planted the seeds for the eventual establishment of CHILDREN’s BOOK Week.
The first official week was held in 1919, with the support of publishers, librarians, and booksellers nationwide. Initially, it focused on promoting literacy and encouraging children to read through activities like author visits, storytelling sessions, and book-related contests.
During the early years, CHILDREN’s BOOK Week also aimed to address concerns about the quality and content of children’s literature, advocating high-quality books for young readers.
REASONS Behind the Holiday
The main reason was simple but powerful: get children excited about reading. At the time, there was growing concern about the quality of books marketed to children and a desire to promote wholesome, imaginative, and well-written literature. The movement sought to influence not just children but also parents, teachers, and publishers.
GOALS of CHILDREN’s BOOK Week
- Encourage children to develop lifelong reading habits
- Promote high-quality children’s literature
- Bring attention to authors, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books
- Support libraries, schools, and bookstores as community reading hubs
- Make reading a celebrated, fun, and social activity
WHY that Particular Day?
Originally, CHILDREN’s BOOK Week was held in November 1919, but in 2008, it was moved to May to better align with the school year and educational calendars. The week is now timed to maximize student and community participation and to avoid clashing with the busy fall holiday season.
Significance in PRESENT Day
Today, CHILDREN’s BOOK Week continues to thrive as a celebration of imagination, storytelling, and literacy. It adapts to include diverse voices, digital storytelling, graphic novels, and new generations of readers. The week gives us all a community around reading and reminds children that books belong to everyone.
In a time of screen overload and short attention spans, CHILDREN’s BOOK Week champions the power of books to ignite curiosity, build empathy, and inspire creativity in kids everywhere.
NEIL GAIMAN Quote
“A book is a dream you hold in your hands.”
👦 HOW to Celebrate & Observe CHILDREN’s BOOK Week?
Not sure how to LOVE the week? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities you can do during CHILDREN’s BOOK Week!
💙 Read a New BOOK Every Day
Explore different genres, authors, or series throughout the week. Hows about adventure one day, mystery the next!
💙 READ-Aloud Sessions
Organize or attend a storytime at schools, libraries, or community centers where volunteers, parents, teachers, classmates, or guest authors take turns reading their favorite books aloud to kids. Bring a blanket and read in the park, on the playground, or right outside the school.
💙 Literary DRESS-Up Day
Have a day where children and adults can dress up as their favorite book characters. It’s fun, creative, and perfect for sparking story conversations.
VillbeCoser Renaissance Dresses Medieval Costume...
This Is My Book Character Costume Funny Pigeon...
💙 Write a Mini STORY
Kids can create short stories, add drawings, and “publish” them for classmates to read.
💙 FAMILY & CLASSROOM Activities
Celebrating CHILDREN’s BOOK Week can be a delightful and creative experience. Remember to tailor these activities based on the age group and preferences of the children or students involved. Let the fun and laughter plot twist on the page in this special section!
It’s also a great opportunity for teachers to build a simple thematic unit around children’s reading—blending language arts, social studies, library skills, creative writing, and visual arts all in one. Whether it’s a one-day focus or a week-long project, this theme gives educators a fun way to connect classroom learning with the power of stories, imagination, and lifelong literacy.
Here are some child-friendly and playful ways for youngsters to celebrate the occasion by becoming page-turning bookworms:
- Dress Like a Book Character Day – Come to school or the library dressed as your favorite book character and guess who’s who!
- Read Under the Stars – Host a nighttime story session with flashlights, tents, or blankets for a cozy outdoor (or indoor!) reading adventure.
- Book Bingo – Complete a bingo card with different reading challenges like “Read a book with an animal character” or “Read aloud to someone.”
- Make Your Own Mini-Book – Fold, draw, and write your own tiny book to take home or swap with friends.
- Storytime & Snacks – Pair snacks with story themes – cookies with “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” or green treats for “Green Eggs and Ham.”
- Book Cover Redesign – Let kids redesign the covers of their favorite books using markers, collage materials, or digital tools.
- Character Scavenger Hunt – Hide images or figurines of famous book characters around the classroom or library, and let kids find them with clues.
- Author Day – Spotlight a favorite children’s author and read several of their books throughout the day or week.
- Buddy Reading – Pair older and younger students to read together, promoting community and confidence.
- Book Swap Party – Kids bring a gently used book and swap it with someone else to discover something new.
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #ChildrensBookWeek, #ChildrensLiterature, #KidsLit, #ChildrensBooks, #ChildrensBook, #PictureBooks, #KidsBooks, #ReadingIsFun, #BookWeek, #BooksForKids, #BookLovers, #ReadAloud, #Storytime, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #MayHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ CHILDREN’s BOOK Week.
