Canadian Children’s Book Week not only benefits children and teens but also provides authors, illustrators, and storytellers with the opportunity to meet their young fans and witness the impact their work has on young readers.
It is a most exciting opportunity to be part of this national event that takes place in every province and territory so get those kids excited and prepared for a fun-filled week that will take them on a journey through reading/writing/illustrating/storytelling.
Our goal is to inspire a love of books and story, as well as an appreciation of the creative process, in readers of all ages. By introducing emerging and established Canadian children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers to audiences from coast-to-coast-to-coast we aspire to focus attention on the value of reading and writing, to help create an informed new generation of young Canadian readers and to encourage emerging young writers.
For teachers, librarians and other professionals working with children and teens, the Book Week program provides the theme, materials, ideas, and motivation for focusing on Canadian children’s books and reading. It also generates renewed enthusiasm for parents to read with their children and explore the world of books together.
Each host of a Book Week author/illustrator/storyteller will receive a free copy of the Book Week poster that you are asked to display in your school, library, community centre or book store to promote Book Week. Extra posters and bookmarks with the same artwork are available from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) website for purchase, visit www.bookcentre.ca.
What people are saying about Book Week:
“It is our fifth participation in Book Week. We have welcomed the following authors at our school: Sharon E. McKay, John Wilson, Caroline Pignat, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and this year, Rukhsana Khan. Book Week is a tradition at our school!”
– Shawinigan High School (Shawinigan, QC)
“We have done many visits over the years… but this one will be a favourite because of the children’s rapture listening to Meg Tilly read. One child said: “I felt like I met new friends this afternoon!” She had an incredible bond with students. The CCBC and Gail Hamilton are a most magnificent team when they move authors to and from Manitoba, and all around our fair city! Good job! Three cheers!”
– Luxton School (Winnipeg, MB)
“WONDERFUL! Chieri Uegaki was calm and spoke beautifully of her writing inspirations and process. Great visual PowerPoint with photos, plenty of anecdotes, question pauses, kimono modelling … signed our books with lovely messages, read Hana Hashimoto … an hour which flew by … The Grades 1 and 2s were riveted and interested! It was a wonderful experience. THANK YOU for the opportunity! I am always thrilled as a librarian to be able to facilitate our children meeting a “real LIVE author”! A beautiful, memorable experience!”
– St. George’s School of Montreal (Westmount, QC)
“This was an enjoyable experience for all. It was easy to tell as all the kids kept very focused and listened well. I loved the idea of storytelling.
We get the children to “read” their stories out loud but this is definitely something I will encourage our writers to do. This showed them how to learn a story, tell it with expression and use facial expressions allowing them to entertain!!”
– Hazen White St. Francis School (Saint John, NB)
“The teachers were very pleased and had lots of praise for Beverley’s presentation after she left. Beverley was dynamic and energetic and knew how to keep an audience of 5-8-year-olds entertained for a full hour (with chanting, stories, and puppets). Teachers were especially pleased with Bev’s inclusion of her own writing as a child (digital copies of her writing from pre-school to age 12 were included in her slide show). We are always encouraging our students to see themselves as real writers. This showed them that “real authors” are not that different than they are….authors start as children with scribbles, invented words and spelling mistakes, just as the students do.”
– West Kent Elementary School (Charlottetown, PE)
“This was a great presentation and suitable for the different grade levels. Larry Verstraete was engaging and I had very positive feedback from teachers and students. We were thrilled to be offered this presentation through the TD Adopt-a-School Program at Regina Street Public School. We are seldom able to have author visits due to lack of “extra” money from other sources (e.g. School Council) so it was a real treat. Thank you from all of us.”
– Regina Street Public School (Ottawa, Ontario)