About
Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.
Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, young people across the country participate by attending events at schools, libraries, bookstores, celebrating at home, and engaging with book creators both online and in person. The 2025 Children’s Book Week will take place during two dedicated weeks of celebration, May 5-11 and November 3-9!
To learn more about participating this year:
History
Children’s Book Week originated in the belief that children’s books and literacy are life-changers. In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in children’s books. He proposed creating a Children’s Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers, and librarians.
Matthiews enlisted two important allies: Frederic G. Melcher, the visionary editor of Publishers Weekly who believed that “a great nation is a reading nation,” and Anne Carroll Moore, the Superintendent of Children’s Works at the New York Public Library and a major figure in the library world. With the help of Melcher and Moore, in 1916, the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association sponsored a Good Book Week with the Boy Scouts of America.
In 1944, the newly-established Children’s Book Council assumed responsibility for administering Children’s Book Week. In 2008, Children’s Book Week moved from November to May. At that time, the administration of Children’s Book Week, including planning official events and creating original materials, was transferred to Every Child a Reader, CBC’s charitable arm.
In 2019, the 100th anniversary of Children’s Book week was celebrated.
2025 Children’s Book Week Highlights:
Exciting new resources and materials are being created now. What to expect?
- Official Poster — poster and drawing page by award-winning artist, author, and illustrator Julie Flett, and inspired by the 2025 slogan, An Ocean of Stories.
- Bookmarks and Illustrated Resources — Exclusive bookmarks, drawing pages, story starters, and more by prominent children’s book creators
- Story Ocean Club — a new reading club for readers of all ages.
- Celebration Ideas – specifically created for the various types of participants.
- Multilingual Coloring Pages – print and color “It’s Book Week” in eight different languages, or make your own!
- Promotional Tools – specially designed flyers, social media templates, and more to promote the celebration and events taking place.
- Official Jingle – this catchy tune is a wonderful way to engage kids ages 0 and up.
- And More! – fun facts, draw your own bookmarks, and more free fun.
More Resources and FAQs
