25 Super Activities to Make This Children's Book Week The Best One Ever

Do you know that Children’s Book Week is coming and have you already started planning your activities for Children’s book week? No? Well, there’s no need to worry. I’ve got you covered. For those of you who have been following me, you know that I am a teacher and Children’s Book Week is similar to the super bowl for me. I tend to pull out all the stops to razzle and dazzle my students through dressing up as famous children’s book characters, planning activities based on that year’s theme and more.

This year, Children’s Book Week is even more precious for me because I am working to self publish my debut children’s book, I Love a Good Book. Want to learn more and give me feedback or cheer me on along the way? CLICK HERE. Now, let’s jump into learning all about Children’s book week and let’s find the best activities for Children’s Book week that will get your little learners excited.

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What is Children’s Book Week?

Children’s Book week is exactly what it sounds like a week that is dedicated to celebrating books for children, reading and the joy it brings. Children’s Book Week was first celebrated in 1919. A fun fact is that it is the longest running celebration of literacy in the United States.

Who Celebrates Children’s Book Week?

Another question you may have is who celebrates Children’s Book Week. The answer is everyone who cares about childhood literacy. Specifically teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators, bookstore owners and families.

When is Children’s Book Week Celebrated?

Children’s book week is celebrated during one designated week each year. From 1919 to 1944, Children’s Book week was celebrated in November. In 1944, it was moved to May. However in 2019, it was celebrated November 4-10th to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Children's Book Week celebrations. In 2020, Children’s Book week was scheduled for August 22-28 (due to covid), but then was postponed. Regardless of the week that Children’s book week is celebrated, it is an amazing time for families, schools and other people and organizations that love books and children to celebrate the joy of books .

What is Children’s Book Week all About?

Children’s Book week is about children and books. It really is that simple. It is a celebration of books, literacy, children and all other people such as writer and illustrators who love books. One of the major goals of Children’s Book Week is to unite authors, illustrators, teachers, parents and children through celebrating their love of reading.

What are the different names that Children’s Book Week is called?

Children’s Book Week is called many things. It is most commonly called Children's Book Week, but sometimes it is called by some other names. Some of the most popular include Book Week and National Children’s Book Week. Regardless of the name that is used, Children’s Book Week is still dedicated to books and the joy that they bring to children.

Who coordinates and organizes Children’s Book Week?

Children’s Book Week is coordinated and organized by Every Child a Reader. Every Child a Reader is a nonprofit organization that helps programs to develop literacy and to promote the enjoyment of books on a daily basis for children. They provide free resources that can be used by teachers and parents.

What is usually done during Children’s Book Week?

During Children’s Book Week, many activities and special events are planned. Some of the most common include activities based on that year’s theme, such as read-alouds, reading challenges, awards and much more. There are also free resources such as posters, bookmarks and lessons that are shared with all those who have officially or unofficially pledged to participate.

When is Children’s Book Week 2021?

Now that we’ve talked about the history of Children’s Book Week and not that you know what Children's Book Week is about, I’m sure you want to know when Children’s Book Week 2021 will be celebrated. This year Children’s Book Week will be celebrated twice. Once from May 3-9 and then again in November, from November 8-14.

What is the Children’s Book Week 2021 Theme?

Now that you know when Children’s Book Week 2021 will be celebrated, I’m sure you want to know what the Children’s book Week 2021 theme is, too. This year’s theme does not disappoint and is sure to make little and adult readers everywhere very excited. The Children’s Book Week 2021 theme is Reading is a Superpower. Can anything be better than books and superpowers teaming up? I’m sure you are now trying to figure out what to do to celebrate.

The Children’s Book Week poster for this year’s celebration was created by Bryan Collier, who is an award winning author and illustrator. Some of Collier’s most popular books include Martin’s Big Words, It’s Shoe Time, Uptown and All Because You Matter.

Where can I get the Children’s Book Week posters?

Children’s Book Week posters and other official resources can be found at Every Child a Reader.

Children’s Book Week Ideas

Earlier, I told you not to worry about what you would do with your child, children, student or students to celebrate Children’s Book Week because I have brainstormed and come up with 25 Super Activities to make this Children’s Book week the best one ever. Keep reading to get some awesome ideas to enjoy Children’s Book Week with the children and readers in your life.

Children’s Book Week Crafts

One of the best parts of Children’s Book Week, outside of all the reading, is the endless possibility for crafts. Some ideas for Children’s Book Week crafts are given in the 25 most super activities to make this the best Children’s Book Week ever below, but don’t feel limited to those. Ask children what Children’s Book Week crafts they’d like to create or talk to art teachers and collaborate on bigger projects.

Children’s Book Week Character Ideas

Trying to come up with Children’s Book Week character ideas that you can dress up as or coordinate with your students? As I mentioned before, children’s book character costumes and dressing up in them is something that I love. The link above will take you to a huge list of possible options that I'm already created mostly from my closet. You may want to focus on those directly related to superheroes or people who are considered to have superpowers, but feel free to get your child/children or student/students involved in picking your Children’s Book Week character ideas.

Children’s Book Week Books

I’m sure by now you are becoming excited about Children’s Book Week. Another thing that you may want to consider is if you will use a specific collection of Children’s Book Week books with your students. This would actually be a good opportunity to partner with a school or community librarian to discover new books about superheroes or chose a particular topic or theme that your child/children or student/students are interested in reading and learning about. The great thing about Children’s Book Week is that there really is no right or wrong way to celebrate and there isn’t a set group of books you need to use in your activities.

Online/Virtual Children's Book Week Ideas

For many families and teachers, education looks very different right now. Because of this, you may need online or virtual Children's Book Week ideas, especially if you are using a flipped classroom model. If you are a teacher who’s feeling overwhelmed, here is one less thing you have to come up with on your own. All of the 25 super Children’s Book Week ideas below can be completed with online/ virtual as well as face to face students.

Children's Book Week activities for early years/preschoolers

Do you need Children’s Book Week activities for early years or preschoolers? The majority of the Children’s Book Week ideas suggested below will work for young children. There are a few that would need to be adapted with some simple changes to be appropriate Children's Book Week activities for preschoolers.

I’m sure by now you’re ready for me to share the 25 Super Activities to make this Children’s Book Week the best one ever, so in no specific order, here they are:

25 Super Activities to Make This Children's Book Week the Best One Ever

Read themed or specially selected books (superhero, by a specific author, about a certain topic) for a minimum amount of time each day that week.
Create posters and flyers based on the current Children’s Book Week theme.
Write a book, as a class, about each student’s favorite book/s or your family’s favorite books.
Make up silly songs about books.
Create a movie about books.
Have students write a research paper on Children’s Book Week, especially how it is celebrated around the world.
Design and create a new cover for a favorite book.
Write a story about why reading is your superpower and how you’ve used it.
Write a letter or a thank you card to your favorite authors thanking them for helping to make reading your superpower.
Create a reading superhero and make a comic about them.
Read to younger children or read with someone you love.
Create diy costumes of your favorite superheroes.
Have a reading superhero contest. Allow each student to create a reading superhero, dress as that hero and give a speech about why you’re important. Vote in the winner or give awards to each child.
All the books have disappeared and people don’t remember how to read, write a story about this world.
Have a superhero reading challenge: Who can read the most books, the most words, or specifically, the most superhero books during that week?
Create a Blooket, Gimkit, or Kahoot quiz testing superhero facts.
Write a poem titled about why you love books or why Reading is a Superpower.
Make a piece of art about your love of books or based on the theme Reading is a Superpower (collage, clay, 3D).
Stage a debate: Reading is a Superpower.
Write thank you letters to the people who’ve helped you love books or have helped you to develop reading as a superpower (parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, siblings and any others you can think of).
Write and put on a play or puppet show titled Reading is a Superpower.
Create a booklet or report of all your favorite books up to this point. Draw illustrations and write a review for each book.
Write a persuasive essay/opinion essay saying why your favorite book or favorite author should be recognized during Children’s Book Week.
Create some physical display (paper rings that need to hit the floor or a bulletin board with a book for each student) and set a goal. Students/children can earn rewards for reading actions (number of minutes, reading a new author, reading a book from a new genre, checking out a book that hasn’t been checked out all year).
Who are some real life superheroes that you know? Read a book about their job and write a letter or card thanking them for all they do.

Before You Go

I hope you are as excited as I am about Children's Book Week and have found some super activities that you can complete with your child, children, student or students. If you do happen to complete one or any of these activities, please tag me in your pictures on Instagram , Facebook or Twitter.

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Now that you have your activities for Children’s Book Week covered, do you still need more help? Here are some of my most popular posts that you might find helpful as a mother and small business owner.