Children’s Book Week (CBW) 2012 ended on May 13 but the work of celebrated children’s authors and illustrators is sure to continue throughout the year.
I have this year’s CBW poster hanging in my office. Created by three-time Caldecott Medalist Davis Wiesner, the poster has recognizable characters from renowned children’s book creators coming together on a busy street.
(For me, it’s a what-if scenario; I wonder what would Marshall’s George & Martha say to King Babar & Celeste with Wiesner’s own three pigs walking on the cross street with Thing One and Thing Two running down the sidewalk … I bet children could come up with even better ideas than I can ….)
Perhaps they are heading to the CBW Gala, who knows? It was hosted by the very clever Jarrett Krosoczka (whose interview can be viewed on Reading Rockets . You can also see Jarrett in action at the Gala .)
It really reminded me of the Academy Awards program. Nominees were announced, snippets of the books were shared by young people, portions of the books were shown, and then The Winner. Authors and illustrators accepted these awards decided by children’s voting — these are the Children’s Choice Awards after all.
Children’s Book Week started a long time ago — 1919 to be exact. My guess is that young people today still like many of the same things: they like to laugh, they like books with feeling, and (increasingly) they like pictures.
It seems that young people also like having a voice — more than 900,000 votes were recorded. Let’s continue to listen to them especially during the summer when reading prevents the dreaded summer slide — but only when reading is fun.
Take a look at this year’s Children’s Choice books and creators. They may appeal to the young readers in your life, too.
About the Author
Reading Rockets’ children’s literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.
Publication Date
May 23, 2012