Cause to Celebrate: Children's Book Week & Jewish Book Month

November marks two important events for booksellers and readers: Children's Book Week 2007, sponsored by the Children's Book Council, and Jewish Book Month, sponsored by the Jewish Book Council.

Children's Book Week, this year from November 12 to 18, is celebrating its 88th year with the theme "Rise Up Reading!" to reflect reading as a vibrant, participatory activity. CBC is encouraging communities to explore ways to interest young people in the written word for future success, academically and in the workplace, and for lifelong enjoyment.

To help bookstores and libraries promote Children's Book Week, CBC has created a variety of materials for publicity and display purposes that can be purchased via www.cbcbooks.org [1]. This year's official Children's Book Week poster features an illustration by Edward Koren, and other promotional materials include contributions by Jon J Muth, Ana Juan, Peter Reynolds, Stephen Savage, and Jim Ishikawa. CBC also offers a number of free, downloadable materials, including activity and book lists.

CBC's celebration ideas for booksellers include:

• Hold a children's event each day of Children's Book Week
• Host a children's book author or illustrator
• Hold a Children's Book Week Party and Costumer Contest
• Offer special discounts during the week

Beginning next year, CBC is changing the timing of Children's Book Week. The 89th annual celebration will be held May 12 through 18, 2008, and subsequent celebrations will held during one of the first two weeks of May.

Jewish Book Month, an annual event on the American Jewish calendar, is observed during the month preceding the celebration of Hanukkah. This year's Jewish Book Month celebration runs from November 16 through December 16.

The Jewish Book Council offers a Jewish Book Month kit, including two eye-catching posters and bookmarks featuring titles for children and adults, for sale via its website, www.jewishbookcouncil.org/ [2]. The Council also offers advice on exhibits, book fairs, book clubs, author speaking tours and literary programs.