National Picture Book Week

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to inspire and nurture creativity in children is through the reading of picture books. Today, May 1, 2011, marks the first day of the First Annual National Picture Book Week.
To find out more about what inspired this idea and how you can be a part of the event, go to NationalPictureBookWeek.com. Also, check out the Facebook page for NPBW and have your child contribute to the discussion and post a drawing of his or her favorite picture book.

First Annual National Picture Book Week Set for First Week in May-Press Release

Hollywood, FL – December 10, 2010- A recent article in the New York Times, Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children, prompted author Linda Eve Diamond to initiate a nationwide awareness of the importance of picture books in creating a love of reading and in developing critical reading and thinking skills.

According to the New York Times article, many parents are pushing young children away from picture books exclusively into chapter books out of a concern for education and achievement test scores.
Diamond states that on the contrary, “Picture books are not the cause of the country's literacy problems, and they can even be part of the solution. Picture books inspire a love of books from an early age. The linking together of words and pictures sparks imaginations and may even help to develop critical thinking skills. Picture books often use words and concepts that are beyond a child's reading level because the pictures help the child grasp the overall story and learn new words without even realizing it. Language play and poetry are common in picture books, and rhythm, rhyme and word patterns also help early language development.”

National Picture Book Week (NPBW) is scheduled to occur on May 1-7, 2011. Educators, librarians,museum directors, bookstores and parents are being encouraged to schedule events during that week to showcase the beauty of picture books as learning tools and works of art. NPBW events may be large or small, ranging from readings in libraries, schools and community centers to larger, sponsored events.

A web site, NationalPictureBookWeek.com, has been created as a resource for interested participants to receive information and share ideas for the week long celebration.