The 98th annual Children’s Book Week, the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, took place May 1–7 in schools, libraries, bookstores, and community centers from coast to coast. The event is organized by the Children’s Book Council and its charitable arm, Every Child a Reader. This year, more than 700 locations in all 50 states hosted official events for children’s book lovers of all ages. See highlights from the festivities, including story times, scavenger hunts, author visits, costume parades, and more.
Author Kate Beaton visited the Juneau Public Libraries in Juneau, Alas., to read from her picture book King Baby (Scholastic/Levine)—a 2017 Children’s Choice Book Award finalist. Photo: Beth Weigel
Juneau Public Libraries brought the bookish fun to the annual Juneau Maritime Festival. Photo: Beth Weigel
Author Amy Young set off on a four-city tour for her forthcoming picture book, A New Friend for Sparkle (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), the sequel to A Unicorn Named Sparkle, as part of Children’s Book Week. Here, she lounges in the author tent at the University Bookstore in Seattle on May 1.
On May 4, University Bookstore in Seattle welcomed author Carole Lexa Schaefer (l.) and illustrator Pierr Morgan. The pair read from their latest picture book collaboration, The Children’s Garden: Growing Food in the City (Little Bigfoot), and displayed original artwork.
Special guest Curious George stopped by for story time at Main Street Books in Minot, N. Dak.
Students at Cub Run Elementary School in Penn Laird, Va., put the peep in Peep and Egg, a Children’s Choice Book Award finalist. Photo: Margo Jantzi
Kids took part in a Llama Llama coloring activity at the Silver Lake Public Library in Silver Lake, Kans.
Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix invited kids to write their own Children’s Book Week shelf talkers. Ronan, age 10, recommended Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull.
Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul hosted a Star Wars-themed party in honor of Book Week and May the Fourth.
Chapters Bookshop in Galax, Va., partnered with the Conservatory of Dance & Theatre to raffle off a “wicked fun” prize pack that included a copy of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and tickets to the ballet school’s upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz: The Ballet. Here, students show off their costumes in front of Chapters’ Book Week window display.
Elephant and Piggie greeted fans at the Prairie West Branch Library in Sioux Falls, S.Dak. The picture book duo celebrates their 10th anniversary this year. See you next year for the 99th annual Children's Book Week!
