Children’s Book Week, an annual celebration of books for kids and teens, was launched in 1919 and is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Each year, events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes—wherever young readers and books connect!
This year, a re-imagined Spring celebration for readers across the country will help them to celebrate at home and connect online with #BookWeek2020atHome.
Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council provide suggestions for Children’s Book Week, to make it not only a celebration of books, but also a way to connect. Here are some of those ideas paired with resources from ReadWriteThink.org.
Read aloud with family and friends. Enlist family and friends to pick their favorite book and host a nightly video chat for different people to read their book aloud.
Learn a few simple read-aloud strategies that can sharpen a child’s emerging reading skills and help you have fun together with a good book.
Take part in activities related to some of your favorite books.
“Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report” by Diana Mitchell is a classic article from English Journal that provides a diverse group of suggestions to students so they can explore new directions and in responding with greater depth to the books they read.
Act out a story after reading it. Work together to create a script and make costumes and props. Then invite others to watch and hear your story!
Dress up as your favorite children’s book characters and have a virtual party.
Children choose their favorite songs, dances, poems, or stories to act out in a talent show for friends and family.
Find opportunities to connect with book creators and authors.
This activity guides teens in reaching out to authors of books they love by composing personal letters or connecting to authors through their websites, blogs, or social media.
How will you be celebrating Children’s Book Week?