The late, great Dr. Seuss once said, “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax. All you need is a book.” Each year we celebrate the special magic of children’s books during Children’s Book Week (May 1-7, 2017). Along with the fun of highlighting new and especially excellent books for younger readers, Children’s Book Week also brings attention to the importance of childhood literacy. For years, it’s been common knowledge that reading to and with children will set them up for greater future successes. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that parents should be reading to their children on a daily basis; this simple act “stimulates early brain development and helps build key language, literacy and social skills.” Simply put, there is no substitute for reading to your children.
Now that my mini lecture is over, it’s time for something a little more fun! The Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards is one component of Children’s Book Week, with finalists broken down by grade range. The Children’s Department here at the LPL is excited to get into the Children’s Book Week spirit! We are conducting our own vote for the best of the year based on these finalists. Copies of the books are on display as you enter the department and ballots may be requested from the Children’s desk; vote for your favorite and YOU will then be entered to win a prize! As always, if you can’t find a book on the ballot, you can ask a librarian for assistance. The books vying for your vote are a diverse bunch, with a little something for every reader. There’s a picture book about crayons putting on a show; picture book biographies about the man who invented the doughnut and a NASA engineer who accidentally invented the Super Soaker water gun; a moving middle grade novel told in verse; and an adventure-packed graphic novel written by a former Real World houseguest, to name a few.
The best part of this event is that you and your children will get to experience some of the spectacular magic that happens when we read.
Happy Reading,
Jess
P.S. Keep your eye out for a special pop-up storytime in the Children’s Room during Children’s Book Week!
