Many of us will have a favorite book that we remember from our childhood. In addition to the enjoyment, reading and being read to can boost cognitive development, build self-esteem, and improve writing skills in children of all ages. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Children’s Book Week?

👉 Official Name: Children’s Book Week
💚 Cause: Inspiring children around the world to love reading
📅 Next Date: May 4-10, 2026
🌐 Official Website: https://everychildareader.net/cbw/
🐦 Hashtag: #ChildrensBookWeek #LoveToRead 

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Children’s Book Week at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About Children’s Book Week at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: As part of the longest-running national celebration of books for children, Children’s Book Week is an international celebration of reading for pleasure and the benefits of learning to read from a young age. During this week, parents and children, as well as schools, are encouraged to set aside time to read to each other and inspire kids to develop a love of stories and reading in general. 

2️⃣ Why it is important: The benefits of reading are numerous, from improving memory and boosting brain health to developing empathy and improving educational success. Yet, 393 million children around the world are still unable to read by the age of 10, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Saying that, reading rates are also dropping in high-income countries. For example, in the UK, less than half of 0-2-year-olds are read to every day, and in the US, just 51% of 6-17-year-olds read for fun. 

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can get involved in Children’s Book Week by setting up a reading schedule at home for your own children, organizing an awareness event in your community, spreading the joys of reading on social media, or donating books you no longer read:

1. Read, read, read: The benefits of reading books are widely known. So, if you have children, encourage them to read and talk about their favorite books to inspire a love of reading. To make it even more fun, you can also download book-related activities for you to do together as a family. 
2. Set up an awareness event: Get the whole community involved in Children’s Book Week by setting up an awareness or fundraising event. To help you out, there are plenty of event ideas, posters, and other promotional materials that you can download from the Every Child A Reader website. You can also attend an event at your local library or bookstore. Both virtual and in-person events are held throughout the week, giving you plenty of choice. 
3. Spread the word on social media: Social media is the perfect platform to encourage a love of reading. Just some ideas you could use include posting a 60-second book review, adding pictures of your loved ones reading in silly and unusual places, or even posting a picture of you and your kids dressed up as popular book characters!
4. Donate your pre-loved books: Have you got a few books that you no longer read? Consider donating them to charities that distribute books to underserved communities. 

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for Children’s Book Week:

• 9 Best Charities That Promote Reading
• 9 Best Charities That Promote Literacy

A Brief History of Children’s Book Week

When was this event established: Children’s Book Week was officially established in 1919 in the US as an expansion of the belief that children’s books and literacy are life-changers. In 1916, Franklin K. Matthews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, enlisted Frederic G. Melcher and Anne Carroll Moore to help launch a Good Book Week sponsored by the American Library Association and the American Booksellers Association. This became the precursor for Children’s Book Week.

How has it developed since then: In 2008, the administration of Children’s Book Week was transferred to Every Child A Reader. Since then, the event has grown to become a worldwide initiative to improve reading and literacy rates in children around the world. In the US alone, the event is celebrated by over 2,300 schools, libraries, and bookstores across all 50 states.

3 Interesting Facts About Children’s Book Week

1. Adult Books to Children’s Books: The very first children’s book is difficult to trace. However, we do know that fairy tales and other ‘classic’ children’s literature were originally created for adults, only becoming adapted for younger audiences in the 18th century.
2. Best-Selling Children’s Books: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943) is widely considered to be the best-selling children’s book of all time, selling over 200 million copies. The second best-selling children’s book is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997), selling around 120 million copies to date. 
3. Education and Career Progression: Research shows that 16-year-olds who choose to read books for pleasure are more likely to secure professional or managerial jobs later in life. Moreover, 10-16-year-olds who read for pleasure make more progress in math, vocabulary, and spelling.

Upcoming Dates of Children’s Book Week

Children’s Book Week is usually observed every year during the first full week of May.

Never Miss an Awareness Event Again

Sources

• Book Trust: How does reading benefit children?
• Every Child A Reader: Children’s Book Week
• UK Department For Education: Research evidence on reading for pleasure
• Save the Children: 393 million children unable to read
• National Literacy Trust: Reading to children is so powerful, so simple and yet so misunderstood
• Golden Steps: 49 Reading Statistics and Facts You Should Know
• Every Child A Reader: Children’s Book Week Resources
• Every Child A Reader: CBW Events Near You
• Impactful Ninja: 10 Best Charities to Donate Your Books to
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Promote Reading
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Promote Literacy
• Every Child A Reader: Children’s Book Week, About
• Boy Scouts of America: Home page
• Wikipedia: Frederic G. Melcher
• Wikipedia: Anne Carroll Moore
• American Library Association: Home page
• American Booksellers Association: Home page
• Every Child A Reader: Home page
• Wikipedia: Children’s Literature
• Wikipedia: The Little Prince
• Wordsrated: Children’s Book Sales Statistics
• Wikipedia: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
• Science Daily: Reading at 16 linked to better job prospects
• UK Literacy Association: Reading for pleasure puts children ahead in the classroom