Children’s Book Week 2003
Somehow, even with it on my “to blog” list, I completely forgot to post about Children’s Book Week this week. J’s post about the 84th annual Children’s Book Week today served as a good reminder. (Thanks, J!)
Children’s Book Week runs through Sunday, November 23, and the theme for this year is “Free to Read”. Book Week began in 1919 as a way to promote both children’s reading and publishing of children’s books. The Children’s Book Council website has a brief history of Book Week if you would like to read more about its origins and history.
Another good resource for the history (and art) of Book Week is the book 75 Years of Children’s Book Week Posters (also available directly from the CBC). I stumbled across the book a couple of years ago at a used bookstore and bought it because I loved looking at all of the wonderful posters. (The 1969 “Book Power” one by illustrator Emily McCully is my personal favorite). When I bought the book, the woman at the checkout counter started flipping through it, and she became fascinated by the posters as well. I almost thought that she was going to keep the book for herself!
After reading that book, I thought about collecting Book Week posters but quickly reconsidered when I went to the Boston Antiquarian Book Fair and saw that rare book dealers were selling them at $300+ each. But maybe I will start with the most recent (and much more affordable) Book Week and Poetry Week posters at the CBC site.
At any rate, enjoy the last few days of Book Week. Borrow or buy a book for your favorite child and read it to him or her. And, if you are forgetful, like I often am, visit the Book Week page and write down the dates for upcoming Book Weeks in your calendar. (Hint: it always happens the week before the week of Thanksgiving).
Add comment November 21st, 2003