With the goal of promoting conversation about why kids choose to read the books they do, Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council have announced the 2022 Children’s Book Week slogan, “How Do You Book?” The thought-provoking theme asks participants in the literacy celebration to think about what they read, where they read, and how they read.

“We wanted to have a theme that was actionable and asked young people to think about reading from lots of different angles,” said associate executive director Shaina Birkhead. “We loved the idea of ‘book’ being a verb because books and reading are such an active and vibrant way to engage with the world.”

This year’s event, which will take place May 2–8 and November 7–13, will also include the first annual Floyd Cooper Day (in May), in honor of the late author-illustrator, to drive further interest in CBW.

Poster and Bookmark Illustrators Named

Capturing the essence of the 2022 “How Do You Book?” slogan is the annual poster, designed by three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning illustrator Raúl the Third. His work focuses on modern-day Mexican American experiences and is based on his early years growing up in El Paso, Tex., and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Raul the Third’s ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge was named one of the New York Times/New York Public Library’s Best Illustrated Books of 2021, and he is currently adapting his ¡World of Vamos! books into an animated television series.

Two posters per registrant are free and will be mailed to libraries, schools, and homes, with a projected goal of 40,000 posters distributed to more than 2,000 locations. In addition, the 2022 bookmarks, available in mid-March, will feature activities created by six designers: Vincent Chin, Mercè Galí, Kathrin Honesta, Zachariah OHora, Roozeboos, and Loveis Wise.

To commemorate the inaugural Floyd Cooper Day, the CBC will create special signage and invite teachers, librarians, and booksellers to hold readings of Cooper’s works on May 6. Prior to this event, the school and library departments of the author’s publishers will send out lists of titles to include in featured displays.

Reprising Challenge and Drawing Activities

Following up on last year’s interactive Book Week challenge, the “How Do You Book?” initiative will provide activities that touch upon the theme’s overarching questions. In addition, a set of step-by-step drawing activities will be available in mid-March for printing or to be completed on-screen. Featured book creators include Hanna Al-Shaer, Nathalie Beauvois, Debasmita Dasgupta, Rashad Doucet, Marlo Garnsworthy, John Hare, Kara Kramer, Julia Kuo, Ryan Law, Corinna Luyken, Natalie Nelson, Juliana Perdomo, Isabel Roxas, Bob Staake, Jane Smith, Ricardo Tokumoto, and Peter Willis.

CBW will also celebrate the winner of the sixth annual Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, who will be announced in advance of the kick-off. A virtual event will highlight a reading of the selected title.

Registration for Book Week is now underway and can be completed online here.