Every year since the inception of the national literacy program in 1919, an icon of children’s book illustration has created an official Children’s Book Week poster to be distributed to participating schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country.
This year’s poster has been designed by Christian Robinson, the Caldecott Honor-winning artist of Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. The poster features the 2017 Children’s Book Week slogan, “One World, Many Stories,” highlighting the power of books to unite readers.
“Illustrating picture books for a living is already quite a prize,” Robinson said. “Being invited to design the 2017 Book Week poster might just take the cake. Many artists who inspire me—including Bruno Munari, Paul Rand, and Roger Duvoisin—have designed it in the past, so it’s a huge honor.” The poster is available for download, as part of Every Child a Reader’s collection of digital materials.
This year—in keeping with the theme of One World, Many Stories—four artists have designed official Children’s Book Week bookmarks: Ekua Holmes, Yuyi Morales, LeUyen Pham, and Sonja Wimmer. A graphic novel anthology featuring original art from esteemed comic creators will also be available for free download.
Official Events from Coast to Coast
A new online registration process has allowed more bookstores and libraries to host events, as well as, for the first time, schools. To date, more than 250 independent bookstores, 300 public libraries, and 125 schools and school libraries are signed up as official Children’s Book Week event locations. In all, the number of official events is more than five times larger in 2017 than in previous years.
Cathy Berner at Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Tex., said that the store has been a longtime participant of Book Week and looks forward to celebrating again in 2017. “We’re most excited about the opportunity to celebrate the wealth of authors and illustrators who create great books for children,” she said. “We celebrate not only in the store but through a number of partnerships in the community.” Blue Willow will be partnering with the Houston Public Library to host author Grace Lin on Saturday during Children’s Book Week, as part of the Books Alive! program. The store will also hold two public events, featuring authors Gail Carson Levine and Rachel Cohn, as well as several school visits.
Candy Purdom at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., said that her store channels the Book Week spirit year-round, but especially in May. “We hope our youngest customers will become lifelong readers, and work toward that goal every day of the year,” she said. “But because we get a dedicated week to re-emphasize that mission, we take advantage of making an extra splash in our communities.”
Anderson’s will kick off Children’s Book Week on April 30 with a Timmy Failure Takeover Party, featuring giveaways and an inflatable character bear, courtesy of Candlewick. Several children’s authors are slated for book signings, including Drew Daywalt, Raymond Arroyo, and Victoria Kann. The store will also tie its Book Week events to Independent Bookstore Day, on April 29. “With the week just on the heels of Independent Bookstore Day, some of our events and promotions will dovetail. We’re offering our customers a 40% off coupon that lasts throughout May,” Purdom said.
For a complete list of official Children’s Book Week locations, see the new interactive event map, designed by Augment Digital Workshop.
