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PENGUIN YOUNG READERS AND THE CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL’S ANNA DEWDNEY READ-TOGETHER AWARD CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

New York, NY – March 12, 2026 – 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award, the book award created by Penguin Young Readers, Every Child a Reader, and the Children’s Book Council in honor of the late Anna Dewdney (1965-2016), author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling series Llama Llama. Since 2016, the award has been given annually to a picture book that is both a superb read-aloud and reflects Anna Dewdney’s mission to spark compassion, empathy, and connection through reading. The award commemorates Dewdney’s life and work and celebrates her commitment to reading with young children and putting books into as many little hands as possible.

To celebrate this milestone, Penguin Young Readers, Every Child a Reader, and the Children’s Book Council are asking the public to help select the winning picture book from a longlist of publisher submissions. Until April 17, 2026, parents, caregivers, librarians, educators, and booksellers can visit https://everychildareader.net/anna/ to vote from a list of titles published between 2021 and 2025. Once votes have been tallied, a shortlist of finalists will be read by an independent selection committee chaired by Anna’s daughter and teacher Berol Dewdney.

The winner of the award will be announced in June with a public virtual conversation with the winner hosted by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader. Penguin Young Readers will purchase and donate 250 copies of the winner’s book to a school, library, or literacy organization of their choice.

Berol Dewdney said: “Watching the Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award grow over ten years has been a profound joy. My mother believed that when we read together, we become more human—that when we open the pages of a book, we are opening our hearts. Her life, and this award, are about honoring those moments of connection, creating more of them, and celebrating the power of storytelling to foster empathy and love.”

 

New Publishing

On April 7, 2026, Viking Books for Young Readers will publish the latest picture book in the Llama Llama series, LLAMA LLAMA GRADUATION DAY! (Hardcover, 9780593353233, $18.99, Ages 2-5). In this sweet and poignant installment, the school year is coming to an end, and Llama Llama isn’t so sure he’s ready to say goodbye to his teacher or classmates. Change can be scary, but with the help of his friends and family, Llama Llama guides readers through it. With signature catchy rhymes and bold, beautiful art, LLAMA LLAMA GRADUATION DAY! is the perfect readaloud for celebrating important milestones. 

 

About Llama Llama 

Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama series has become a cultural touchstone, branching out to all types of media, including the Netflix animated series “Llama Llama” starring Golden Globe Award-winning actress Jennifer Garner. Llama Llama Red Pajama has been adapted by Dolly Parton for a musical performed at Dollywood, performed by musicians such as Ludacris, Migos, and Camila Cabello on the radio station Power .106 Los Angeles, and was chosen as Jumpstart’s Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world benchmark for the most readings of a single book in one day.  

Other books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Llama Llama series include Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Llama Llama Time to Share, Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa, Llama Llama Loves to Read, Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess, Llama Llama Loose Tooth Drama and several others.  

 

About Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney passed away in September 2016, at the age of fifty, from cancer. A teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of reading aloud to children, she continually honed her skills as an artist and writer and published her first Llama Llama book in 2005. Her passion for creating extended to home and garden, and she lovingly restored an eighteenth century farmhouse in southern Vermont. She wrote, painted, gardened, and lived there with her partner, Reed, her two daughters, two wirehaired pointing griffons, and one bulldog. Anna was a warm-hearted, wonderful, wise soul who will be forever missed, but whose spirit lives on in her books.

 

About Every Child a Reader

Every Child a Reader (ECAR) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) national organization that celebrates and supports the powerful impact that books have on young people. ECAR oversees national reading programs, provides free books to students in need, fights book bans, and produces free and diverse educational resources to a network of over 2,500 schools, libraries, bookstores, and community groups. Every Child a Reader’s signature campaigns are Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country since 1919; the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, with the Library of Congress; Get Caught Reading, a free poster program of diverse role models; and the Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, promoting family reading time, celebrating its 10 th anniversary in 2026.

 

About the Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association for children’s book publishers in North America. The CBC manages a portfolio of national book awards, creates educational programming, promotes diversity in book publishing, compiles curated reading lists for teachers, librarians, and booksellers, and fights against the banning of books. CBC’s awards include Kids Favorites, Best STEM Books, a Social Justice Book Prize, the Free Speech and Graphic Novel Advocate, and more.

 

For Publicity Inquiries, please contact Garrett Bond at gbond@penguinrandomhouse.com.

Barnett to Share ‘Behold, The Picture Book!’ Initiative in Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming

 

National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett is set to embark on a 2026 tour for his initiative, “Behold, the Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See.” Mac will travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee; Duluth, Minnesota; and Bar Harbor/Milbridge, Maine in the spring, and Cody, Wyoming, and Ogden, Utah in the fall. With this initiative, Barnett explores the power of the picture book, visiting schools and hosting community events for children and adults alike. This is the first official visit to Maine and Wyoming by a national ambassador.

As the ninth national ambassador, Barnett celebrates what’s exciting, joyful, and vibrant about this quintessential American art form, the picture book. He believes that picture books, by their very nature, create space for children and adults to experience art and storytelling together – on equal terms. Barnett is eager to share picture books with kids around the country, as well as speak with adults who can often underestimate children’s literature and its impact.

“Getting together and telling stories is a very human thing to do. It separates us from the snails. And one of the special things about the picture book – one of many special things – is that these are books meant to be shared, to be read out loud,” said Barnett. “So I’m looking forward to traveling to new places and meeting new people, telling some of my stories and hearing some of theirs. The snails don’t know what they’re missing!”

 

Barnett will host public events at the following locations:

• Thursday, April 9 — Chattanooga Public Library, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• Wednesday, May 20 — Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica (hosted by Duluth Library Foundation), Duluth, Minnesota.
• Wednesday, June 3 — Jesup Memorial Library (hosted by Island Readers and Writers), Bar Harbor, Maine.
• Monday, September 21 — Cody Library, Cody, Wyoming.
• Thursday, November 12 — Treehouse Children’s Museum, Ogden, Utah.

 

Public events are free but may require reservations. Barnett will also host closed programs at area schools in each host community. Students in those schools will receive one of his acclaimed picture books, courtesy of the Library of Congress James Madison Council, to support the National Ambassador program’s mission to enhance young people’s connection with books. The tour is coordinated with funding support from Every Child a Reader, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program partner, and an award-winning literacy charity. Additional support is provided by Candlewick Press.

In 2025, Barnett’s tour stops included California, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas, where he met with more than 5,000 students and adults throughout the tour.

The school librarian from Concord Ox Bow Elementary School in Elkhart, Indiana, shared feedback on Barnett’s visit.

“As a result of being chosen for this visit, the students spent time really getting to know Mac’s books before he came, and together we were able to deeply discuss the way he writes using open-ended questions and space for children to put their thoughts into the stories,” Sarah Hooley, school librarian from Concord Ox Bow Elementary School in Elkhart, Indiana, said. Having the opportunity to do this author study, followed by the visit, helped the students notice the themes of his work and compare and contrast the books to each other and other books they know. What a wonderful way for them to understand literature and develop agency as a reader!”

To follow Barnett’s journey across the country and to see photos from his events, visit his National Ambassador landing page on the Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader websites.

The ambassadorship was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the importance of young people’s literature for lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

 

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About Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their bestselling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

 

About Every Child a Reader
Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 107 years in 2026; Get Caught Reading, a classroom role model poster project; the Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, now in its 10^th year; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.

 

About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services, and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

 

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PR 26-011
02-11-2026
ISSN 0731-3527

Sign up now to get two free posters in the mail!

The 2026 Children’s Book Week poster by the supremely talented Grace Lin was revealed yesterday in PW Children’s Bookshelf. This intricate and welcoming image is the perfect visual representation of this year’s theme, Books: Get Curious!

“I feel that kids need curiosity—interest in life, people, the world, and beyond—in order to flourish,” says Grace Lin. “But we are living in a time where there is a segment of the population that is trying to curtail that curiosity with book banning and unnecessary restrictions. Right now, curiosity, with all its joy and wonder, needs protection.”

Grace’s poster is a masterpiece that you can display in your own classroom, school or school library, public library, bookstore, or home. Sign up today to participate in Children’s Book Week and receive two free posters by mail this April.

Explore Grace’s inspiration and the meaning of her imagery and download the poster image now.

FROM EVERY CHILD A READER, SCBWI, ILF, AND THE AGENTS SPONSOR CIRCLE

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is joining forces with the Literary Agent Circle of Sponsors of Every Child a Reader to support literacy and learning in school libraries nationwide.

The Literary Agent Circle of Sponsors has contributed $10,000 to purchase and distribute books for school libraries. The donation has been made via Every Child a Reader and administered by the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund (ILF) through its cornerstone initiative, All Readers Welcome, which supports access to books for young readers and helps strengthen school library collections.

 

The agencies supporting this effort are:

Adams Literary Aevitas Creative Andrea Brown Literary Agency Barry Goldblatt​ Literary Brandt & Hochman​ Literary Agents Curtis Brown, Ltd. DeFiore and Company Literary Management East West​ Literary​ Agency Focused Artists Folio Literary Management Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency Gina​ Maccoby Literary​ Agency Great Dog Literary Grinberg Literary​ Management Hansen Literary Management HG​ Literary

Jennifer Flannery Literary JVNLA, Inc. KT Literary McIntosh and Otis Nelson Literary New Leaf Literary Pippin​ Properties Root Literary Sandra​ Dijkstra Literary Agency Serendipity Literary Agency Stimola​ Literary Studio The Book Group Wernick & Pratt Literary WLA​ Books Writers House

 

Every Child a Reader and Children’s Book Council Executive Director Carl Lennertz said, “We are beyond thrilled to partner with SCBWI’s Impact and Legacy Fund to get books into underfunded school libraries. This grant was made possible by our Literary Agent Sponsor Circle, who passionately believe in wider book access. This is the largest single grant we’ve ever made, and I can’t think of better partners than SCBWI and ILF and, as a school library kid myself, for a better cause.”

“This new partnership between the CBC and SCBWI is a perfect example of the magic that happens when organizations work together for the benefit of young people,” said Sarah Baker, SCBWI Executive Director, “From the SCBWI staff and ILF steering committee, to the CBC, Every Child a Reader, and the Literary Agent Sponsor Circle, we’re all privileged to be able to help put a diverse range of high-quality books in the hands of students who need them the most.”

 

Lin Oliver, SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund Managing Director, noted, “The SCBWI’s Impact and Legacy Fund initiated the All Readers Welcome program, the brainchild of ILF Steering Committee member Federico Erebia, over three years ago.  In that time, we have provided high-quality, diverse books to underfunded school libraries serving over 37,000 students across the United States.  This new partnership ensures school librarians’ continued opportunity to keep their bookshelves full, fresh, free, and relevant to the children in their communities.  The right book in a child’s hands can change a life.  We are brimming with pride to be part of this mission.”

All Readers Welcome will oversee the purchase and distribution of books to eligible school libraries, with a focus on expanding access to high-quality, inclusive reading materials and supporting educators and librarians serving diverse student populations.

Dav Pilkey & Children’s Book Week Wrap Up

 

Our fall Children’s Book Week was incredibly special this year, thanks to the generosity and support of Dav & Sayuri Pilkey and Scholastic. This epic partnership highlighted creativity and imagination, integral to both Dav Pilkey’s books and the longest-running celebration of children’s literature in the country, Children’s Book Week.

Over 7,000 classrooms, school libraries, public libraries, bookstores, and other vital community centers received Dav Pilkey’s Power Up with Reading: Dog Man and Friends Epic Event Kit. This kit included six of Dav’s beloved books, an activity guide (also available online), a timeline about Dav’s life, AND the exclusive Dog Man and Friends Get Caught Reading poster. Over 10,000 large-scale posters were distributed to hang in schools, libraries, and bookstores. Over 350,000 copies of the poster in a smaller size were given to kids and families to have at home!

During the week of November 3-9, in all 50 states, Canada, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and several army bases, kids wrote haikus, drew comics, and read their favorite books.

Librarians, teachers, and volunteers created displays, organized school and community events, held contests, raffled off books, posters, and other swag, and most importantly, supported young readers in engaging with the books and stories they love most.

Thank you to all the educators, librarians, booksellers, and other community leaders who went above and beyond to celebrate this year, using their Dav Pilkey Epic Event Kits in so many creative ways.

PHOTO GALLERY

 

 

After two wonderful fall events in Hanover, PA and Elkhart, IN, Mac Barnett wrapped up his whirlwind 2025 tour with stops in Manvel, TX and Greensboro, NC.

Mac met with hundreds of kids at elementary schools, reading to, talking with, and getting inspired by these students and their obvious excitement for “Behold, the Picture Book!”

A public event at each location also allowed Mac to connect with the wider community of families, teachers, librarians, and adult fans of his work. Mac was able to share his message across generations, sharing the joy of picture books, storytelling, and family reading.

Here are just a few photos that capture the spirit of these visits.

In Manvel, TX:

In Greensboro, NC:

 

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress James Madison Council. The program was established in 2008 by the Library, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. Previous National Ambassadors include authors Jon Scieszka (2008–2009), Katherine Paterson (2010–2011), Walter Dean Myers (2012–2013), Kate DiCamillo (2014–2015), Gene Luen Yang (2016–2017), Jacqueline Woodson (2018–2019), Jason Reynolds (2020-2022) and Meg Medina (2023-2024). The current Ambassador is Mac Barnett.

 

ABOUT MAC BARNETT
Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

Mac Barnett is halfway through a whirlwind National Ambassador tour to meet and inspire young people and adults in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, and North Carolina.

Mac met hundreds of kids at schools –who had such a great time meeting him– and he’s met with families and adults at public libraries, as he takes out the message of the joy of picture books, storytelling, and family reading.
From the dozens of photos, we’ve chosen two from each of his first two visits that capture the spirit of each school and library visit.

In Hanover, PA:

 

 

In Elkhart, IN:

 

Thank you, Mac, and all the wonderful teachers and librarians who helped organize such fun and fulfilling events!

Photos from Manvel, TX and Greensboro, NC.

 

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress James Madison Council. The program was established in 2008 by the Library, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. Previous National Ambassadors include authors Jon Scieszka (2008–2009), Katherine Paterson (2010–2011), Walter Dean Myers (2012–2013), Kate DiCamillo (2014–2015), Gene Luen Yang (2016–2017), Jacqueline Woodson (2018–2019), Jason Reynolds (2020-2022) and Meg Medina (2023-2024). The current Ambassador is Mac Barnett.

ABOUT MAC BARNETT

Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

Barnett to Visit Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas with ‘Behold, The Picture Book!’

National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett continues his national tour this fall, sharing his passion for picture books with children and adults alike through his initiative “Behold, the Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See.” Mac will visit Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas.

As the ninth national ambassador, Barnett aims to shift adult perceptions of this quintessential American art form, ultimately elevating the picture book to its rightful place in the world of literature. Barnett believes that each picture book is a literary invitation, where children and adults can come together on equal terms to experience enriching storytelling.

“I love reading out loud to kids – it’s what made me want to become a children’s author – so I’m excited to get out there and share some of my favorite picture books. But I’m just as eager to talk to adults about this great art form, to discuss how meaningful and powerful picture books are,” said Barnett. “We launched the tour last spring in Coronado, and as I always am when I talk about books with children, I was blown away by kids’ curiosity and depth. One father who came to our event at the library told me that he would never read a picture book to his kids the same way again. I’m tempted to say that if I reached just that one dad, my whole ambassadorship was a success, but I’m aiming for a lot more people than one, so I’m going back on the road.”

Barnett will host public events at the following locations:

• Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.: Guthrie Memorial Library, Hanover, Pennsylvania.
• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m.: Concord Junior High School, Elkhart, Indiana.
• Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.: Alvin ISD Liberty Alumni Hall, Manvel, Texas.
• Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.: Harrison Auditorium (North Carolina A&T State University), Greensboro, North Carolina.

Public events are free but may require reservations. Barnett will also host closed programs at area schools in each host community. Every student in those schools will receive one of his acclaimed picture books, donated by Candlewick Press, as part of the National Ambassador program’s overarching mission to enhance young people’s connection with books. The tour is coordinated with primary support from Every Child a Reader, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program partner, an award-winning literacy charity.

To follow Barnett’s journey across the country, visit his National Ambassador page on the Library of Congress website. To submit a proposal for Barnett’s 2026 tour stops, visit everychildareader.net/ambassador/events. The deadline for applications is Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

As the world’s largest library – one uniquely charged with the development and preservation of civic, intellectual and creative vigor – the Library of Congress advances its engagement and commitment to readers across the country through programs like the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The ambassadorship was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the importance of young people’s literature for lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

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About Mac Barnett

Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

About the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress James Madison Council. The program was established in 2008 by the Library, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. Previous National Ambassadors include authors Jon Scieszka (2008–2009), Katherine Paterson (2010–2011), Walter Dean Myers (2012–2013), Kate DiCamillo (2014–2015), Gene Luen Yang (2016–2017), Jacqueline Woodson (2018–2019), Jason Reynolds (2020-2022) and Meg Medina (2023-2024).

About Every Child a Reader

Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 106 years in 2025; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.

About the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

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Media Contacts: Deb Fiscella, Library of Congress, dfiscella@loc.gov | Rachel Kirby, Candlewick Press, rachel.kirby@walkerbooksgroup.com

Public Contact: Anya Creightney, Library of Congress, acre@loc.gov | Shaina Birkhead, Every Child A Reader, shaina.birkhead@cbcbooks.org

Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man to Anchor Children’s Book Week, the Nation’s Longest Running Literacy Initiative, on November 3-9, 2025

New Dog Man “Get Caught Reading” posters and 50,000 free books will be distributed to schools and libraries across the U.S. as part of “Power Up with Reading” Children’s Book Week Celebration

New Dog Man Book Coming November 11, 2025

 

NEW YORK (May 8, 2025) – The Children’s Book Council and its award-winning charitable arm, Every Child A Reader, in collaboration with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that Dog Man, the #1 worldwide bestselling literary phenomenon by Dav Pilkey, will be the anchor for Children’s Book Week on November 3-9, 2025. As the longest running national literacy initiative in the United States, this fall’s Children’s Book Week celebration will have a “Power Up with Reading” theme and will come on the heels of the publication of Pilkey’s new Dog Man book, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, releasing simultaneously in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand on November 11, 2025.

The Dog Man series celebrates creativity and imagination and explores universally positive messages, including the importance of doing good, empathy, and compassion. As part of the “Power Up with Reading” Children’s Book Week initiative, Caldecott Honoree Dav Pilkey has created an original “Get Caught Reading” poster featuring his beloved characters Dog Man, Li’l Petey, and Petey “caught” reading a book. With a bright and inviting palette, the full-color 17” x 22” Dog Man poster will be displayed in schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country. Every Child a Reader’s “Get Caught Reading” poster campaign was created to inspire a love of reading, and has previously featured notable figures including award-winning musicians Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, actors Keira Knightley and John Lithgow, as well as iconic characters Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dora the Explorer, and Yoda.

Dav Pilkey, in coordination with Scholastic, will donate up to 50,000 books to support Children’s Book Week reading celebrations taking place in schools, libraries, bookstores, and community centers across the U.S. Each participating venue will receive a “Power Up with Reading: Dog Man and Friends Epic Event Kit,” which includes a Dog Man “Get Caught Reading” poster, activity guide, collectible giveaways for kids, and a Dav Pilkey starter library featuring fan favorite books including Dog Man, Cat Kid Comic Club, Captain Underpants, and Dragon. Venues that are already part of the Children’s Book Week network will automatically receive the Epic Event Kit in September. Schools, libraries, and independent bookstores are invited to apply now for a chance to receive this Epic Event Kit and be part of the national reading celebration. For more information and to apply, visit the Every Child a Reader website.

In a statement, Dav Pilkey said, “Reading is the greatest superpower of all and I’m grateful to all the teachers, librarians, and independent booksellers who are doing good in their communities—they are the ultimate superheroes.”

“At Every Child a Reader, we work every single day to spread the joy of reading in thousands of rural, suburban, and urban communities. Reading at a young age improves a child’s success in school and in life. By joining forces with Dav Pilkey and Scholastic for this fall’s Children’s Book Week, millions more children will be inspired to grab a book and read,” said Shaina Birkhead, Associate Executive Director, CBC and Every Child a Reader.

“For over three decades of publishing Dav Pilkey’s books, we have seen firsthand Dav’s personal commitment to giving back and supporting kids and communities in need,” said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade. “His books continue to inspire, influence, and ignite a love of reading among boys and girls. We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate on this exciting literacy initiative that will help create even more readers.”

 

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ABOUT EVERY CHILD A READER, CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK, AND GET CAUGHT READING Every Child a Reader, the charitable arm of the Children’s Book Council (CBC), is an award-winning 501(c)(3) national literacy charity that works with other organizations to promote a love of reading among children, teens, and adults and provides access to books in underserved communities. Its signature campaigns include Children’s Book Week, the longest running celebration of books in the country established in 1919; Get Caught Reading, a free role model poster program; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, with the Library of Congress.

ABOUT DAV PILKEY  Over the years, Dav Pilkey’s philanthropic efforts with various national literacy organizations including Book Trust, the Scripps Howard Fund, the Alliance for Young Writers and Artists, Little Free Library, among many others, have reached millions of kids and families around the country. Dav Pilkey is the creator of over 70 books for children and was awarded a Caldecott Honor for his picture book The Paperboy. When Pilkey was in second grade, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and what is now widely known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because of his learning and behavioral issues in school, he was often sent out in the hallway. It was in his elementary school hallway where he created comic books about superheroes that eventually became Captain Underpants and Dog Man. His Dog Man series, launched to critical acclaim in 2016, was an instant #1 bestseller and has more than 70 million copies in print and translations in 48 languages. DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures recently released the movie adaptation of Dog Man, which debuted at the top of the box office. Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series, launched more than 25 years ago, has more than 90 million copies in print, translated into 37 languages, and released as a feature film by DreamWorks, as well as an original series on Netflix. TheaterWorksUSA’s musical adaptations of Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club opened to rave reviews, were both New York Times Critics’ Picks, and are currently touring around North America. For more information about Dav Pilkey and his books, visit //mediaroom.scholastic.com/davpilkey.

ABOUT SCHOLASTIC For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been meeting children where they are – at school, at home, and in their communities – by creating quality content and experiences, all beginning with literacy. Scholastic delivers stories, characters, and learning moments that empower all kids to become lifelong readers and learners through bestselling children’s books, literacy- and knowledge-building resources for schools, including classroom magazines, and award-winning, entertaining children’s media. As the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online, and with a global reach into more than 135 countries, Scholastic encourages the personal and intellectual growth of all children, while nurturing a lifelong relationship with reading, themselves, and the world around them. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

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Press Contacts

Every Child a Reader: Shaina Birkhead 919-602-6032 shaina.birkhead@cbcbooks.org

Scholastic: Charisse Meloto 917-217-1771 cmeloto@scholastic.com

The 2025 and 2024 Children’s Book Week poster artists had a chance to connect and talk about what it means to create books for young readers, the process of making a Children’s Book Week poster, and so much more. Read Julie Flett and Sophie Blackall’s conversation.

Sophie Blackall: Hi Julie! I have just seen your Children’s Book Week poster and it’s SO beautiful, and I’m so glad to have this excuse to talk to you because we’ve emailed before but never met or spoken, and I love your work so much. But before we launch into talking about art and reading and children, HOW ARE YOU DOING? I know it’s a loaded question these days…

Julie Flett: Hi Sophie! Thank you! I’m so glad we get to talk, too. There’s nothing like connecting with other book makers. We’re often working on projects on our own for long periods, so to stop and take a breather and connect in this way is so nice. I love the work you do with Milkwood, bringing artists and authors together to do just this. 

As far as how I’m doing, I’m really thinking a lot about what we can do right now. And as book makers, I think it’s those collaborations and our work with kids and youth, all of us. I think about how we’re held in this connection with everything around us, the land, the water, creatures, our communities, and about holding those connections dearly.

SB: I’ve been wrestling with this too. I don’t want to just sit back because if I’m complacent, if I appear apathetic, if enough other people like me who are too shy or polite to raise their voices, if we all stay silent, then what is going to happen? I went to an event with Brian Selznick talking about his new YA book and he said something very similar to what I was feeling, wondering what he could do to make a difference in these unsettling times and then he remembered, This is what I do. I make books. I had a forehead-slapping moment: of course, that’s what we do. We make books for children and that’s really important and really valuable. It’s an enormous privilege and it’s an enormous responsibility and I don’t think we take it lightly, but that’s what we’re doing, and anyway…does that resonate with you at all?

JF: Yes, it does, a deep care for connecting with children and for them, to support them. We’re doing it in the work and I think that that is as relevant and important, and as you say, it’s a privilege and a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

SB: Can we talk about your gorgeous poster? I want to ask you questions about your process and illustration technique, but first, tell me about the theme, An Ocean of Stories…

 

JF: Thanks Sophie! It was such an honor to be asked to create this year’s poster. To follow your poster from last year and all of the posters over the years. This year, the Children’s Book Council/Every Child a Reader gave me a few titles to choose from and I loved them all. I could feel the love of the people who work with ECAR, the care they put into the work and celebration of stories for kids. In the end, An Ocean of Stories stood out to me, water stories have been on my mind, it feels like a watery time, vast and deep and relational. So that was the one!

SB: Do you mean in terms of story? In that there’s a long history, a deep ocean of stories beneath us and we have an opportunity to learn from the stories that have gone before, or do you mean something else?

JF: I was thinking more metaphorically, about going deep into things, the water, our spirits, our connections to the water, stormy times and calm times. 

The poster itself is a calm image, the little person sticking their finger into the water, with a sea turtle swimming up to touch her finger, each curious about the other, all of those connections including that beautiful part of water, dreamy and pondering.

SB: Right. And you’ve spoken about your admiration for young land and water stewards, like Autumn Peltier…

JF: Yes, Autumn really came to mind as an inspiration for the poster. And all of those who bring this into their work, reminding us of our deep relations to the land and water. 

SB: As I look at the at the shape of the image you’ve made for the poster, and the design of it, the first thing I’m struck by is how the art is on the perimeter and you’ve essentially left this open space in the center which could be a lovely metaphor for all the kinds of things that we’ve been talking about, amplifying the voices and stories of young people, but I don’t want to make assumptions…

JF: I love thinking about the space we make for kids to bring their own imaginations to the work. And the excitement of taking off from there, all of the things they’ll put together on their own.

SB: Yes, that’s lovely, so much possibility. I love how the sea lion is entering on the right and then exiting on the left, maybe it’s two sea lions, but it also could be the same one…

JF: Yes, it’s like who’s coming up to see you now? “I want to see what’s happening up there – or down there,” and all the little stories and connections to be made.

SB: I’ve been looking at your artwork and it could be done with layers of paint and collage, or it could be entirely digital…I can’t tell!

JF: The first part of the process is very much going back and forth between paper and illustrator programs. I trace my drawings and then I work on the backgrounds separately (mostly pastel), and then I scan those in and start collaging everything together.

SB: Here’s a question: have you ever written for anyone else, another illustrator?

JF: Wow, yes, so interesting that you ask! I recently wrote to someone whose work I love to see if she might want to collaborate on a book. I’m halfway through writing the story and I kept thinking of her – I think it would be amazing and hopefully it comes together!

SB: Ooooh, that’s exciting!

I just wrote a picture book manuscript that, when I finished it, I could see the drawings so clearly, I could see what I would do on every page, that there was suddenly no mystery, no intriguing puzzle to be solved. It felt as though I had already done it so I asked my beloved editor Susan Rich, if it would ever be a possibility that I could write something for somebody else to illustrate and she was so excited. We had great fun thinking of our dream illustrators and Phoebe Wahl said yes. She’s just about finished final art and it’s been so thrilling because she’s done something entirely different than what I would’ve done.

JF: Oh, I love it. How beautiful! I can’t wait to see it!

SB: Speaking of connecting, I get the feeling you love working with kids. It’s not the case with everyone who makes books for children… How do you think about children when you’re making books or indeed a poster for Children’s Book Week?

JF: I listened to a talk where you’d spoken about writing books that kids would want to read over and over. I think about that too, to read or look at over and over. Whether it’s for the illustrations (that was me as a kid) or the story or both. I often think about this when I’m writing a story. I love the questions that kids ask during readings, and how they engage in the ways that make the most sense for them. A little boy once asked me, having observed that I draw a lot of birds, “how do birds communicate?” which initiated one of the most fun and engaging conversations. I love those moments. I wrote about something similar in one the books I worked on, “Let’s Go! haw êkwa” with Greystone Books, about a little boy who inspired me. He’d come to one of my book readings a few years ago. He started off sitting at the back of the library room and over the course of the reading, slowly made his way to the front to ask a lot of questions. Someone had asked what inspires my work and I talked about my nieces and son, family and friends. He wanted to know more about my son and about his skateboarding. We had such a great chat. Once the group was gone, one of the librarians and one of his teachers pulled me aside to tell me that this was a little boy who is very quiet in class and kept to himself. I’m so glad that he felt comfortable coming forward to ask questions, that he was at ease in this reading and really got to express that when we were together.

SB: Yes! That’s what we hope that kids get from reading and from books, and that if they have trouble connecting with people in the real world that they can find a book that they can immerse themselves in, where they can feel safe and feel seen.

JF: Yes!

SB: And of course, all that is dependent on kids having access to books, which is sadly not always the case and threatens to become even more difficult these days, instead of easier. But Children’s Book Week is a reason to celebrate reading, and I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to support the efforts of Every Child a Reader to encourage kids to find a book that speaks to them and to connect with stories.

JF: Yes, oh that’s beautiful, me too. I think it’s going to be an amazing week.

When my son was younger, we would go to the library on Saturday, we’d choose the librarian picks and the books of his choice. We get to learn along with them, often not books I would have chosen as a kid, so we’re always learning together. It’s so important and we’re doing everything we can to preserve this.

SB: I love those stories you tell about one particular child responding to your book in a completely individual, profound way. That will stay with them for possibly their entire lives, in the way that certain books certainly have for me. I suspect they might’ve done for you, too. I was just in our building’s laundry room the other day and there was a Miffy book on the bookshelf which I must’ve had when I was a toddler, and when I opened it, there was this evocative rush of memory…Dick Bruna’s images are graphic and simple, but they are etched in my memory. Standing in the laundry, immersed in the pages of that book, I felt safe and warm and loved. The thought that our books might do that for one child ties back to your poster with the kid in the boat, reaching into an enormous ocean and making this tender connection with the sea turtle and that’s where it begins… that one connection can lead to everything else.

JF: Miffy! I love that, that you felt safe and warm and loved! That’s really it, isn’t it? And yes, absolutely, the connections that lead to everything else!

 

Check out Julie Flett’s lovely playlist, inspired by this year’s theme, “Sea Songs!”

Explore all Children’s Book Week materials.

All illustrations by Julie Flett for the 2025 Children’s Book Week poster.