Children's Book Week is a twice a year celebration and in 2021 occurs during the weeks of May 3-9 and November 8-14. Created to celebrate new, noteworthy, and upcoming books in children's publishing, Children's Book Week is a wonderful time to celebrate both classics and new favorites. Children’s Book Week is not only a celebration of books, but of connection. It is a vehicle to unite kids and adults with books, authors, and illustrators in order to foster a love of reading in all.
You can celebrate by:
- Checking out some of the library's newest children's titles.
- Joining a kid's virtual program on Zoom or Facebook live.
- Participating in November's Indigenous Voices reading challenge on Beanstack.
- Exploring the activities and printables from the Children's Book Week website below
This year the theme of Children's book week is "reading is a superpower." Several popular authors have chimed in with their superpowers on the Every Child Ready to Read website.
Some of local library superheroes, Alachua County Library Districts Youth Services staff, have shared their superpowers as well. Check them out below!
- Susan W.
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My superpower is listening to and reading about other people’s life experiences. It helps me to imagine walking at least a few steps in their shoes.
- Susan W.
- Sarah G.
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My superpower is not finishing books that I don’t enjoy. It doesn’t matter if I am only three pages in or only have three pages left. If I don’t like it, I don’t finish it. There are too many good books out there to be stuck in a book you don’t like.
- Sarah G.
- Gail C.
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I read, then I know things. This gives me the superpower of winning most of my family dinner table discussions or, at least, getting in the last word. This is especially helpful when I keep up with worldwide current events.
- Gail C.
- Sam N.
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When I was in elementary school I did not enjoy reading, I just didn’t understand what the big deal was. It wasn’t until I was about 10 or 11 when it finally clicked. I read a hilarious book called The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson. I realized that reading could be fun and silly, that it could make you feel like you made a new friend, or make you feel brave and strong. I still have that worn copy of The Best School Year Ever, and every few years I reread it to remind me of all the wonderful things written inside of books. I guess you could say reading IS my superpower.
- Samantha N.
- Meaghan B.
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My superpower is reading about world's and places, and people that I never could have imagined myself. It is an amazing feeling, getting lost inside an author's imagination!
- Meaghan B.
- Courtney P.
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I would say that my superpower is serving my community - reading helps me do that by allowing me to see the world from the perspective of others.
- Courtney P.
Activities
There are many fun ways your family can participate in the Children's Book Week Celebrations. Check out the fun activities that go along with the poster. Download bookmarks and activities from popular authors.
Or learn how to draw some of your favorite picture book characters with one page designs straight from the illustrators. Some even come with how to videos!
Book Lists
Last but not least, there are some delightful booklists created for Children's Book Week that you can explore. If you find a title that looks promising to you, hop over to our catalog to place a hold!
- Science and STEM Booklist.
- The Arts Booklist.
- Social Activism Booklist.
- Community Engagement Booklist.
- Identity and Culture Booklist.
- Environment and Climate Booklist.
- Physical Fitness and Sports Booklist.
- The Humanities Booklist.
- Mental Health and Wellness Booklist.
- Superheroes and Superpowers Booklist.