I hate to admit it, but every once in a while I find myself fussing at my kids, “Put that book down and come on!” But, I have to say, I truly love when they’re nose-deep in a book. And I’m on a lifetime quest to forever encourage my kids’ love of reading. So, in honor of Children’s Book Week this week, we think everyone should grab a copy of the 2016 Children’s Book Week poster created by illustrator Brian Won. It’s free, while supplies last, from Book Week Online. Whoo!
Related: The ultimate list of the best kids’ books of 2015
And if you’re feeling a wee bit nostalgic for your own favorite childhood books and illustrators, check out Cafe Press’s Children’s Book Week store. There you can search through the archives of every Children’s Book Week poster dating all the way back to 1921. These would make great gifts for birthdays — buy your kids the poster from they year they were born. We also love these for teacher gifts, and it just so happens that this week is National Teacher Appreciation week, too.
From top left: 1925 – Jon O. Brubaker | 1953 – Jan Balet | 1958 – Paul Rand | 1975 – Richard Scarry | 2011 – Peter Brown | 1978 – Laurent de Brunhoff
The best part? You can get your favorite poster printed on just about anything — from mugs and mouse pads to t-shirts and tote bags. We’re stocking up now. Since all proceeds benefit Every Child a Reader, how can we resist?
Visit Cafe Press’s official Children’s Book Week store to find every Children’s Book Week poster from 1921 until 2016. But wait, there’s more! Cece Bell, one of our favorite authors and the graphic novelist behind El Deafo, also created this awesome free printable bookmark for this year’s Children’s Book Week.
I love so many of these designs and those at the Children’s Book Week Store, but I keep looking for children of color. It disappoints me that even in 2016 they are not represented.
Cindi, we totally agree that there should be more diversity! We noticed that most of the designs feature animals or flowers or generally things other than people. That said, in addition to Grace Lee’s illustration of Asian siblings reading in 2015, it would be nice to see more children of color going forward.
I third that!