Children’s Book Week is a celebration of children’s books that began in 1919 and is celebrated in schools, libraries, and bookstores. It includes storytelling, author and illustrator visits, and book-related activities to encourage a love of reading. It was created by Franklin K. Matthiews, a librarian who sought support from librarians, booksellers, and book publishing houses. The American Library Association and the American Booksellers Association teamed up with the Boy Scouts to sponsor Good Book Week in 1916, which later became Children’s Book Week. Today, it is celebrated every May with parties, special events, and book donations to local children’s hospitals and Head Start programs.
Children’s Book Week is a week-long celebration of children’s books. It began in 1919 and is mainly celebrated in schools, libraries and bookstores. Typical events during Children’s Book Week include storytelling, author and illustrator visits, and book-related activities. The goal of Children’s Book Week is to encourage a love of reading and books among children.
This literary celebration was born from the brain of Franklin K. Matthiews, a librarian with the Boy Scouts of America. In 1913 he traveled to the United States in hopes of promoting the creation of useful books for children. Matthiews sought support from librarians, booksellers and book publishing houses. He found two helpers in the form of Frederic G. Melcher, publisher of Publishers Weekly and Anne Carroll Moore, superintendent of Children’s Works at the New York Public Library. In 1916, the American Library Association and the American Booksellers Association teamed up with the Boy Scouts to sponsor Good Book Week.
When the ABA (American Booksellers Association) held a conference in 1919, the organization decided to make Good Book Week an annual celebration. It was renamed Children’s Book Week. The ALA (American Library Association) officially gave their approval several months later. In 1944, the Children’s Book Council assumed responsibility for overseeing Children’s Book Week. They started the process of distributing promotional materials and encouraging people across the country to celebrate this important event for children.
In the past, Children’s Book Week was always held the week before Thanksgiving. After the 2007 celebration, it was decided that the week-long event would be held every May. Today, bookstores, libraries and schools promote Children’s Book Week by hosting parties and special events. Children can participate in programs featuring storytellers, contests, storytime, and appearances by well-known authors and illustrators. People looking to celebrate at home often decide to donate books to local children’s hospitals and Head Start programs. They read children’s literature to their children and look for ways to get them excited about the books.
Franklin K. Matthiews wanted to raise the standards of children’s books and traveled the country to bring attention to the cause. A single librarian was the catalyst that sparked a huge movement that continues to be celebrated by book lovers. From its beginnings in 1913 to its elaborate celebrations in today’s world, Children’s Book Week is an opportunity to encourage every child to explore the wonder of books.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
