CHILDRENโs BOOK Week is typically celebrated the 1st or 2nd week in May. This annual U.S. event promotes childrenโs 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 youโre 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.
CHILDRENโs 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 Childrenโs Book Week to celebrate childrenโs books and the importance of reading.
In 1916, Matthiews organized the first National Storytelling Day, which planted the seeds for the eventual establishment of CHILDRENโs BOOK Week.
The first official week was held in 1919, with the support of publishers, librarians, and booksellers across the country. 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, CHILDRENโs BOOK Week also aimed to address concerns about the quality and content of childrenโs literature, advocating high-quality books for young readers.
Not sure how to LOVE the week? Weโve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities you can do during CHILDRENโs BOOK Week!
Organize or attend read-aloud sessions at schools, libraries, or community centers where volunteers read childrenโs books aloud to young audiences. This can include themed storytimes or readings by guest authors.
Have a day where children and adults can dress up as their favorite book characters. This adds a fun and creativity to the celebration and encourages engagement with beloved stories.
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Use social media posts with the hashtags #ChildrensBookWeek, #ChildrensLiterature, #KidsLit, #ChildrensBooks, #ChildrensBook, #PictureBooks, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #MayHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you โค๏ธ CHILDRENโs BOOK Week.
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