Spring Book Week 2023

Children’s Book Week, established in 1919, is not only a celebration of books, but of connection. This beloved program continues to grow and adapt each year with new resources and celebration ideas. This year, we invite classrooms and schools, public and school libraries, bookstores, and other organizations to host events during the week while also encouraging young people and families to celebrate at home. All are welcome to sign-up to participate and will receive two free Book Week posters by the amazing Rilla Alexander.

Celebrate with us May 1-7 in school, at your local library or bookstore, at home, online, and in whatever setting is appropriate for your community.

Slogan, Artists, and Materials

Each year a slogan is created to shape materials and celebration ideas, and a beloved artist is chosen to exemplify that slogan in our official Children’s Book Week poster.

The 2023 slogan is Read Books. Spark Change. This year’s theme speaks to the power that books and stories have to inspire positive change. Books can spark change within an individual reader, a family, a classroom, or a whole community.

Award-winning author and illustrator Rilla Alexander is the poster art creator!

The poster is now available for viewing and will be mailed out in March.

New materials are available now, including:

Exclusive new bookmarks with activities by children’s book superstars
Activities in English and Spanish
Resources to celebrate the second annual Floyd Cooper Day on Friday, May 5.
The Find Your Spark Challenge
Draw along instructions from beloved illustrators
Videos, exclusive drawings, poems, and more from your favorite kids’ book creators. Follow #ReadBooksSparkChange on social media to see these released.
Participation ideas for schools, libraries, and bookstores, people celebrating at home, and publishers and book creators.

Find your Spark Challenge

Readers of all ages can join in the fun of Children’s Book Week with this year’s Find Your Spark Challenge. The 2023 theme, Read Books. Spark Change. encourages you to think about books as a spark for positive change. This change can take place inside yourself and/or within your community (ex: your family unit, your classroom, school, neighborhood, town, city).

Follow the steps in the Challenge guide to find your/their newest spark!