In a technologically charged world, children often find entertainment in the newest apps on a smartphone or games on a computer. As librarians, it is our job to introduce educational material and ultimately to preserve the joy of reading. The perfect time to do so is underway as the month of May kicks off with Children’s Book Week.
Children’s Book Week is a national event that celebrates children’s literacy annually. This year, Children’s Book Week will occur from May 2nd-8th. Commemorative programs and events are held across the nation fulfilling their slogan: “Cover to cover, coast to coast.” The weeklong celebration makes CBW the longest-running literacy initiative recognized in the country.
Here in Lafourche Parish, our library branches each honor the celebration in their own individual ways. As a branch assistant for Raceland, I will be hosting several programs, each encouraging children to immerse in reading.
Monday, May 2nd – We are incorporating Mother’s Day to hold a themed story time while educating parents on Children’s Book Week and inviting them to celebrate with us. We will be reading children’s story books with a Mother’s Day centric plot, and afterwards we will instruct mothers and children to make a related craft together.
Tuesday, May 3rd – This is our big Children’s Book Week celebration: A costume themed party inspired by our favorite literary characters. Come dressed to impress in your creative best! We will be discussing our favorite books all day long and have a group picture planned in the afternoon.
Thursday, May 5th – By combining Cinco de Mayo, Thursday is my Children’s Book Fiesta. I will be reading the children’s book Cinco De Mouse-O and crafting maracas with the kids. Guests are asked to shake their maracas every time they hear words spoken in Spanish during the storytime. After story time, I will also play a brief Spanish vocabulary game. This event requires no knowledge of the Spanish language, it will be at a child’s pace and everyone will leave learning something.
Friday, May 6th – May 6th marks National Space Day which highlights the advancements we have made in space exploration. While this day has a little something for everyone, it was created to help kids get involved in reading about cosmology. Because this falls during CBW, our theme for story time is Story Time Space. I will be reading popular children’s books regarding alien invaders, the solar system, and everything in the space between.