Children’s Book Week Bookmark Reveal (psst . . . It’s El Deafo related!)

Books. Kids.  This is pretty basic stuff.  One should read the other.  Preferably requently.  And I suppose that for some of us there’s a perception that urging children to read is a recent phenomenon.  An outgrowth of the digital age when kids have so many things to distract and entertain them.  Gone are the days when books were often the sole source of entertainment in the home.

Perceptions can be misleading.  Take Children’s Book Week.  It sounds contemporary, but actually it dates back to 1919, making it the the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country.  Maybe people had different reasons for pushing Children’s Book Week at its start, but the end results remain the same.  Kids reading books is good.  That’s why I’m mighty pleased to reveal the  Children’s Book Week bookmark art for 2016.

This year’s bookmark, commemorating the 97^th annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading (May 2-8, 2016), is being designed by 2015 Children’s Choice Debut Author finalist Cece Bell, author and illustrator of El Deafo.  You hear that?!?  CECE FRIGGIN’ BELL!

Behold:

Did you see that part where I mentioned that Ms. Bell was a “2015 Children’s Choice Debut Author”?  What’s that all about?  Well, each year kids vote on the Children’s Choice Book Awards.  We’re in our 9th year now.  Now the finalists for 2016 have been announced. Voting is now open at ccbookawards.com, and winners will be announced during Children’s Book Week.

And for more fun:

• More information about the bookmark can be found here.

• Each year, official events for Children’s Book Week give kids the opportunity to connect with their favorite authors and illustrators in person.In 2016, official events – including appearances by beloved children’s book authors & illustrators, children’s open mic nights, read-alouds, book-themed parties, and much more – will be held in all 50 states. Photos from last year are on view here. Event attendees receive complimentary Children’s Book Week posters and tote bags. You can see how these literacy celebrations are shaping up so far here.

• Literary Landmarks to be designated each day of Children’s Book Week (May 2-8): The ALA-CBC joint committee is teaming up with United for Libraries to designate seven Literary Landmarks™ — one each day — during Children’s Book Week 2016 . (Sites must be tied to a deceased children’s literary figure, author, or their work).

• The National Ambassador For Young People’s Literature:In early January, the CBC and Every Child a Reader in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress appointed heralded graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang to this prestigious position. As part of his mission to instill a lifelong love of reading, Gene Yang will be announcing the Children’s Choice Book Award winners during Children’s Book Week.

Thanks to the good folks at the CBC for the reveal!

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