Celebrate National Children’s Book Week!

Growing a new generation of readers is definitely something to celebrate. November 8-14 marks the second (of two) National  Children’s Book Week this year, featuring both local and nation events.

Blue House Books has a week full of special activities planned, said owner Sam Jacquest.

“Children’s Book Week is a chance to really celebrate books for kids,” Jacquest said. “The last couple years especially, the diversity in books for kids has emerged so much more and that’s something I’m super excited about.”

Launched in 1919, Children’s Book Week will commemorate its 102nd anniversary in 2021. It is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate all the efforts publishers are putting into kids books these days,” Jacquest said.

Events kick off 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 9) with “Storytime with Sam!” as Jacquest herself reads for her youngest patrons, free and open to the public.

Other local, kid and family-focused ventures join the fun during children’s Book Week.

Kindermusik with Emilie visits Blue House Books at 10 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 11). Registration is required for this event.

The popular Kenosha Kingfish mascot Elvis will be “in the building” Friday (Nov. 12).

“We are so excited to have Elvis the Kingfish mascot visiting us. That will be a shop with Elvis and photo opp kind of thing,” Jacquest said.

Also on Friday (Nov. 12), Little Lion Cuts, 6804 Green Bay Rd., hosts storytime with Karen Franco.

Sunday (Nov. 14) Blue House Books features “Local Author Storytime,” with a trio of writers visiting to share their works with their favorite audience: Kids!

The morning begins with Storytime with Erin Peterson at 11 a.m. followed by Storytime with LaTia Russell at noon and Storytime with Elle Maru at 1 p.m.

Peterson’s debut book is “The Odd Ball.”  In the author’s words, this book “focuses on acceptance. Sometimes we feel we need to change to make friends when all along we just need to be ourselves.”

Russell, along with her family, founded Ties That Bind Publishing. She drew on her background in social work to  launch her publishing company, which carries various journals, including affirmation journals, coloring books, and children’s picture books.

Maru is the author of “Comfy” and “The Middle” and is a Carthage alum.

In the author’s words, “Comfy” follows Olive, a little kitty who loves plants and her plush stingray. Olive is autistic and brings her comfort object everywhere she goes. What happens when her plush isn’t around?”

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Hospice Alliance brings special guest speaker and author, Sherrie Barch to Kemper Center  for a community presentation and book signing of “Heaven’s Bell” at 5 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 10) in Founders Hall, 6501 3rd Ave.

Born and raised in northern Illinois, Barch’s passion for storytelling and making room for “heavy” conversations motivated her to write this important children’s book. The presentation is aimed at anyone interested in learning more about adding life to days especially when facing loss.

For more information about the event contact Megan Frazer at megan.frazer@hospicealliance.org, call 262-652-4400 or visit www.hospicealliance.org.