Children’s Book Week poster by Mary GrandPre.

I read a lot of kids’ books, from picture books to chapter books to middle grade and young adult novels. Mike claims that I became a children’s writer so I’d have an excuse to read kids’ books–as if I’d need such an excuse.

I keep a list of Recommended Reading based on reviews I read here and there, mostly from blogs. I also make it a point to read books that win an award: Newbery, Caldecott, Alex, Printz, Cybil, Golden Kite, etc.

One of the big issues surrounding children’s book awards is that they are generally bestowed by adults. It happens sometimes that adults like books that kids don’t: ask any student with a school reading list.

As part of Children’s Book Week celebrations, kids are given the opportunity to vote for their favorite books in the Children’s Choice Book Awards program.

Ten thousand children across the country spent months reading and evaluating 500-700 books submitted by publishers. About 99 books make the final favorites list in each of three grade categories: kindergarten to second grade, third to fourth grade, and fifth to sixth grade.

Now, kids can vote for their favorite from the top five in each age group, along with five finalists for favorite author and favorite illustrator.

Invite the kids in your life to read the Top Five Children’s Choice contenders and place their vote. What a great way to celebrate Children’s Book Week.

See more ideas (25 of them, to be exact) for celebrating Children’s Book Week here. Allow me to present a 26th idea: stitch a bookmark with a kid!