97th Annual Children’s Book Week Poster Unveiled, Display Contest Details Announced

In celebration of the 97th annual Children’s Book Week, running this year from May 2 to 8, booksellers are once again invited to participate in the Children’s Book Week Display Contest. The winning bookstore will receive a visit from one of the winners or finalists for the 2016 Children’s Choice Book Awards.

The display contest is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader, in partnership with the ABC Children’s Group at ABA.

One bookstore winner will be selected based on a display that adheres to the Children’s Book Week theme of celebrating children’s books and reading. Displays will be judged on their uniqueness and creativity, their use of space, and their eye-catching appeal. Bonus points will be awarded to bookstores incorporating the 2016 Children’s Book Week poster and the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards finalists.

This year’s poster was designed by author and illustrator Brian Won, a 2015 Children’s Choice Illustrator of the Year Award finalist for his debut picture book, Hooray for Hat! (HMH Books for Young Readers). The poster features the book’s main character, Elephant, reading together with his animal friends.

Booksellers can request up to 25 copies of the poster at no cost other than shipping. The poster will also be included in ABA’s April Red Box mailing. Children’s Book Week posters from the past 96 years are all available for order from CafePress; proceeds benefit Every Child a Reader.

Children’s Book Week displays must be up from April 30 to May 8 to be considered. Pictures of displays, along with a photo credit, must be submitted to ABC Children’s Group Manager Matthew Zoni by May 6. The winner will be announced May 18. See last year’s entries here.

In addition to earning a visit from a 2016 Children’s Choice Book Awards author or illustrator winner or finalist, the winning bookstore will be featured in the Children’s Book Council’s Update newsletter and in ABA’s Bookselling This Week and will also be highlighted in social media posts and on bookweekonline.com.

Voting for this year’s Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards opens on March 8 and will run through April 26 at ccbookawards.com and in schools, bookstores, and libraries around the country. Winners will be announced during Children’s Book Week.

The 2016 Digital Toolkit is available for booksellers looking to spread the word about Children’s Book Week and the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards. The toolkit features digital Children’s Book Week Champion badges, sample social media posts, voting banners, “I voted” stickers, e-mail signatures, logos, and more. Those looking to host Children’s Book Week celebrations can browse an archive of activity ideas for children of all ages.

Visit the Children’s Book Week Booksellers Page to learn more about how to participate.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Official Children’s Book Week events will be held at bookstores, schools, and libraries in all 50 states this year. Booksellers can watch for Children’s Book Week updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Bookweekonline.com, as well as in BTW.