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Apr 2 - Apr 8, 2012 Edition

Children’s Book Week Begins May 7

NEW YORK, NY/April 3, 2012--Now in its 93rd year, Children’s Book Week is the longest- running literacy initiative in the country. From May 7-13, books for young people and the joy of reading will be celebrated with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other literacy-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast. More than 40 cities nationwide will host Official Children's Book Week events this year, each featuring appearances by multiple authors and illustrators. All official events are open to the public. Attendees receive complimentary Children's Book Week posters and totes.

Administered by Every Child a Reader and sponsored by the Children's Book Council, Children's Book Week includes the highly-anticipated Children’s Choice Book Awards Gala, where the winners of the Children’s Choice Book Awards, the only national book awards program where the winning titles are selected by children and teens of all ages, will be announced LIVE. Voting is open now through May 3 at www.BookWeekOnline.com.

In 2011, official events were hosted in 25 cities across the country, more than doubling the number held in 2010. This year there are more than 40 cities participating.

For details on these events, go to: www.bookweekonline.com/official.

This year's official Children's Book Week poster was created by 2011 Children's Choice Book Awards Illustrator of the Year and three-time Caldecott medal winner David Wiesner. A cast of classic and beloved children’s book characters are featured in Wiesner’s luminous homage. The poster is available at no cost beyond shipping at www.bookweekonline.com/poster. Additionally, a free downloadable Children’s Book Week bookmark, created by the legendary Lane Smith -- author and illustrator of the New York Times bestseller It's A Book! -- is available at: www.bookweekonline.com/bookmark. The clever design includes a “pin the tale” on the donkey activity.

About the Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council is the national nonprofit trade association for children’s book publishers. The CBC offers children’s publishers the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, literacy advocacy, and collaborations with other national organizations. Our members span the spectrum from large international houses to smaller independent presses. Membership in the CBC is open to U.S. publishers of children’s trade books, as well as in some cases to industry-affiliated companies. The CBC is proud to partner with other national organizations on co-sponsored reading lists, educational programming, and literacy initiatives. Please visit www.cbcbooks.org for more information.

About Every Child a Reader

Every Child a Reader (ECAR) is a 501(c)(3) literacy organization dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children. To achieve this, ECAR creates and supports positive programs and opportunities that promote the enjoyment of reading among America’s youth. Founded by the Board of Directors of the Children’s Book Council (CBC), it is unique among literacy organizations in its ability to harness the collective power of the children’s book publishing industry to create positive social change in our communities. Its goals echo those of the CBC, which are to make the reading and enjoyment of children’s books an essential part of America’s educational and social aims, and to enhance public perception of the importance of reading.

Every Child a Reader administers Children’s Book Week. In conjunction with The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the CBC, ECAR sponsors the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Program, which raises national awareness of 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.