Children's Book Week

Now in its ninetieth year, Children's Book Week runs May 11-17. It began as the dream of Franklin K. Matthiews, librarian of Boy Scouts of America, who hoped to encourage higher standards among childrens books. And judging from this year's Children's Book Award Finalists, I'd say Matthiews' dream came true.



A few of this year's nominees:

Donut Chef by Bob Staake

A fun, yummy read with great rhyme.

Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems

Underwear: What We Wear Under There by Ruth Freeman Swain

Paper Towns by John Green

Possibly my favorite teen read of 2008 (along with The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks).

To celebrate Children's Book Week, I encourage you to engage in a little conversation with a child about a favorite book, author or illustrator (either of theirs or yours).

It'd be great if you'd take it a step further: read that book with the child and chat about it afterwards.

Display the book in a special place this week.

Print out this Children's Book Week downloadable bookmark, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino.

How will you celebrate?

********************5/12/09 UPDATE*************************

The 2009 Children's Choice Book Award winners announced!

I'm a little disappointed that Paper Towns didn't win, but if kids and teens are voting, I guess it'd be hard to beat out the Twilight saga. Congratulations to the winners as well as the nominees!