If you are the observant type, you noticed the Children’s Book Week Champion badge that I added to the blog a few days ago. If you’re the lazy not-so-observant type like me, you’re now glancing around the blog, saying, “I don’t see any Children’s Book Week badge. I don’t know what Cathy’s blah-blah-blahing about–oh. Never mind.”
So, ahem. Let’s just move on to Children’s Book Week and why I champion it.
1. It’s all about a celebration of books and the joys of reading for young people. How can you NOT champion that?
2. You (and by you, I mean you who have something to do with schools and/or libraries) can get a free and very cool poster, art by Brian Selznick. (He’s a Caldecott winner, amazing illustrator, SO many books…well, perhaps you should just go read for yourself here.)
3. You (and by you, I mean any old you) can download this cool bookmark by Newbery Honor author/illustrator, Grace Lin. (You’ll want to check out her website. It’s also very cool and free to peruse.)
4. You (and by you, I mean the writer you who would like someday to get that much-loved manuscript into the hands of children everywhere) can get a very good idea of what children love to read when you take a look at the list of book finalists. If you haven’t read these books yet, perhaps you should. (And by perhaps, I mean definitely.)
So if you know a kid who loves to read, give that child the chance to celebrate the joys of reading. Ask him or her to vote. (Oh! Teachers, librarians and booksellers can vote, too!) Cast your vote, you and you and you,too. And I’ll stop blah-blah-blahing about Children’s Book Week.
(Um, I can’t really guarantee that. I do SO love books.)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
I guess I’m the not-so-observant type (although I DID notice your “just polished” blurb – love it!) but I AM the love-to-read type, so I can’t wait to check out the list of book finalists and share them with the kiddos. We love good book recommendations! Thanks for passing some along!
Very welcome, Debra! Let me know how the peanut gallery likes ’em. 🙂
Cathy, you are the coolest person EVER for posting the links to the free poster, bookmark, and book finalists. Guess what poster will be hanging on the doors and walls of our school? Okay. You guessed it.
To be fair, Suzanne, that was an easy guess. Give me something harder! 😉 (On second thought, maybe not. My head’s too big to get out of the doorway already!)
Good grief … I had no idea! BUT, thanks to observant you, I am now linked and connected AND have e-mailed info about the free poster to our school’s librarian! Thank you so much for the info and heads-up!!
Look at you, Kelly! I didn’t think of emailing the schools–great idea!
I’m in the unobservant category, but I found it after you told me what to look for! 🙂 And now up off to hit up the links.
I’m a bit slow. I didn’t see your badge at first, but I agree; you are a champion.
Well, Lisa and Donna, to be fair, the badge is sort of down there a bit. 🙂 And I know you’re both champions as well!
Thank you for introducing me to this! I have a “Hold” list a mile long at our local library, and we will be reading each selection and I’m having my kids vote! I will be curious to see what they select, and how they make their decisions!
Oh, that’s WONDERFUL! I’m so happy I introduced you, too! And P.S. Lucky kids, having you to introduce them to so many wonderful books. 🙂
I’m often considered the most unobservant of them all! 🙂