Starting next Monday, May 2nd, it will be time again for Children's Book Week, the oldest national literacy event in the United States. From May 2nd to May 8th, young readers across the country will celebrate the world of books, authors and stories.
Events will be held in several states throughout the week, but the official celebration will kick-off on Saturday April 30th, as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Katherine Paterson hosts an event in New York City. Among her other duties during the week, Paterson will also judge the CBW writing contest. Co-sponsored this year by the Bookemon website, children will be able to write and illustrate their own picture book and submit it to the contest. The winner will receive a gift certificate, allowing him or her to have his or her book printed and shared with family and friends.
Other official Children's Book Week events will take place at Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA. On May 2nd, children's author Jacqueline Davies will read from her book, The Lemonade Crime, served alongside - what else - lemonade. On Thursday May 5th, middle-grade and young adult author Karen Day will be at the store. If you're unable to attend any in-store events, you can celebrate online with Story Snoops. The website will be hosting a series of interviews with various authors, including 2011 Newbery Award winner Clare Vanderpool.
The highlight of Children's Book Week remains the Children's Choice Book Awards, which are given to books voted on by children and teens. Many popular books are among this year's middle grade and teen finalists, including The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, It's a Book by Lane Smith, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. Awards will also be handed out to the Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year. Readers can vote online until April 29th.
For more information about Children's Book Week, please visit the CBW website.
Comments