May 3-9 & November 8-14
Children’s Book Week started in 1919 is the longest national literacy initiative in the country. In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews who was the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began traveling the U.S. to promote higher standards in children’s books. He proposed creating Children’s Book Week, which would be supported by publishers, book vendors and librarians. In 1916, Matthiews with the help of Publishers Weekly and American Library Association sponsored a Good Book Week along with the Boy Scouts of America. In 1944, Children’s Book Council was formed, and they took over creating Children’s Book Week.
This years theme is “Reading is a Superpower,” which coincidentally is similar to the Dover Public Library’s summer reading theme, “Superhero Super Reader.” The Children’s Department will celebrate book week by giving away a book a day plus free stickers, bookmarks, coloring sheets and crafts.
Come visit to celebrate National Children’s Book Week!
-Jen Gardner, Children’s Room Manager