Children’s Book Week

May 12-18 is the 95th anniversary of Children’s Book Week, the annual celebration of children’s literature and the love of reading. This year’s host is Kate di Camillo, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. LeVar Burton, actor, producer, director, and host of Reading Rainbow, is this year’s Impact Award Recipient.

This is the only children’s book award that is voted on by the readers, and not selected by committee. There are several categories including K-2 Book of the Year, 3-4 Grade Book of the Year, 5-6 Grade Book of the Year, Teen Book of the Year, Illustrator of the Year, and Author of the Year. Voting is open until May 12.  You can go to the site below to vote.

http://www.bookweekonline.com/toolkit

Picture book (K-2) nominations for Book of the Year, 2014 

Alphabet Trucks

Bear and Bee

Chamelia and the New Kid in Class

The Day the Crayons Quit

Mustache Baby

Read more about Children’s Book Week at their website.

http://www.bookweekonline.com/about

Kate di Camillo

Kate di Camillo has been named the National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature for 2014.

The Library of Congress names a new ambassador every two years.  From their website, “The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.”

As ambassador Kate de Camillo travels around the country promoting literacy.  She says, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see each other.”

Kate di Camillo is the author of the 2004 Newbery Award winning book, The Tale of Despereaux, which was made into an animated film in 2008.

Her first book, Because of Winn-Dixie, was given the  Newbery Honor distinction in 2001, and also made into a movie starring Anna Sophia Robb as India Opal in 2005.

Kate di Camillo is also the author of the early reader book series, Mercy Watson.  

Kate was interviewed on PBS News Hour on January 10, 2014.  Int this interview she talks about how telling stories helped her connect with the world.  She reminds us that kids’ books can be for adults too.  Kate sees her role as Ambassador as needing to remind people of all ages of the power of story.  ‘Story is what makes us human.  Story can be a powerful thing.’  Another message she wants to tell young people is be persistent, don’t give up on your dream.

You can hear the whole interview on PBS News Hour here… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV-_mrUkh5Q

You can see the movie trailers for The Tale of Despereaux here …  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJpT7dC5FsY    

and Because of Winn-Dixie here…                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avWH7T4F2RU

Visit her website at http://www.katedicamillo.com