November 12-18, 2007 is Children’s Book Week, which has been celebrated the week before Thanksgiving since 1919.
I wasn’t familiar with Children’s Book Week. So I enjoyed reading the history of the observance.
Even though I don’t write or edit children’s books, I recognize how important it is for children to develop a love for books and reading. I admire and appreciate children’s book writers and editors.
The Children’s Book Council, a trade organization for children’s book publishers, says this about Children’s Book Week:
A celebration of the written word, Children’s Book Week introduces young people to new authors and ideas in schools, libraries, homes, and bookstores. Through Children’s Book Week, the Children’s Book Council encourages young people and their care givers to discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books.
This year’s theme is Rise Up Reading.
If you’re a parent or an educator, I hope you will celebrate Children’s Book Week to help young people “rise up reading.” If you’re a children’s book author, I hope you will take advantage of this week to share your work. Tell us about your children’s books or share your own childhood reading experiences in comments.
Added: Jeanne Dininni at Writer’s Notes reminded me about the Literacy Site, a click-to-give site that donates books to children in need. While I encourage daily visits to the site, Children’s Book Week is an excellent time to make a special effort.
Note the suggestion by Raz from Eco-Libris in the first comment below.
[tags]Children’s Book Week, reading[/tags]