Children’s Book Week is 6-12 October 2008. This year’s theme is Rhythm and Rhyme.
Children’s Book Week is a celebration of reading for pleasure for children of primary school age.
Michael Rosen and 200 children from Lambeth primary schools launched Children's Book Week on the London Eye on Monday 6 October.
Michael and the children took a flight on the Eye and then gathered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, where together they wrote a giant poem called 'I Spy With My London Eye'.
Read a report on the day by Press Packers Hannah and Rion on the Newsround website
About Children's Book Week
Children’s Book Week is in its 77th year and is always held in the first full week of October. This year’s theme is Rhythm and Rhyme.
A free teachers’ pack will arrive in all state primary schools, public libraries, special schools and initial teacher training institutions in England by Monday 16 June.
The pack contains:
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a comprehensive teacher’s resource guide including games, activities for Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2, tips for organising a successful Children’s Book Week and useful contacts
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a full size colour poster featuring delightful new artwork by illustrator Lydia Monks, a bookmark
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the Best New Illustrators guide to picture books
Download the free teachers’ resource guide (Adobe Acrobat 2mb)
Download the Children’s Book Week 2008 poster (Adobe Acrobat 549kb)
Request a free pack or additional free copies of the poster by emailing education@booktrust.org.uk or phoning 020 8516 2967 (while stocks last).
Please note that the pack is intended for teachers, educators and librarians.
How will your school celebrate?
We’d love to know about your plans and activities. Email details to education@booktrust.org.uk (with photos if possible) and the best ideas will be posted on this site.
New verses for 'I opened a book'
Michael Rosen wrote 'I opened a book' especially for Children's Book Week 2008. We invited children to write new verses for the poem.
Read a selection of the new verses here
Sponsors
Children’s Book Week is generously sponsored by Crayola and enjoys additional support from Egmont UK Ltd – this year’s lead publisher supporter, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Frances Lincoln, Random House Children’s Books. With thanks to all our sponsors and to illustrator Lydia Monks.
Crayola & Children’s Book Week cover design competition winners announced.
Find out about the winners of this year's Children's Book Week cover design competition. Find out more
Events
There are several exciting events happening in and around Children's Book Week. Find out more
“Children's Book Week is a great opportunity for everyone who cares about children’s books to fire up children to read and talk about books. Schools can make a special place in the curriculum to discover how books can give pleasure, enlightenment and pause for thought. Libraries can focus on how best to get children through their doors to enjoy the treasure houses nearby.
Books need as much buzz around them as TV and films, so a week when the whole country is talking about books and authors is an ideal way for the world of books to be seen and heard. Throughout this pack you’ll find lots of ideas on how all of us can help generate that buzz. Let us know how you get on.”
Michael Rosen, Children’s Laureate
Download the 2007 teachers’ resource pack (Adobe Acrobat pdf 3.5Mb)
Find out about books and disability issues by visiting www.bookmark.org.uk
Children’s Book Week is run by Booktrust , an independent national charity which promotes reading for pleasure, and is sponsored by Crayola.
