"Read a Book, Share a Story" is the theme of TD Children’s Book Week 2012, which kicks off on May 6 and sends 29 Canadian authors, illustrators and storytellers across the country to share their work and bookish passion with the public through readings held in public libraries, community centres, bookstores and local schools.

“We are thrilled that, with TD’s support, these authors, illustrators and storytellers will help children across the country discover the joy of reading,” says Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director of The Canadian Children's Book Centre, TD's partner in the venture.

This is the 35th year that Children’s Book Week has taken place. In 1977, the event began with just 11 participating authors, including the much celebrated Dennis Lee (of Alligator Pie fame, among many other books), who remembers “the excitement as so many writers starting to come out of the woodwork. Publishers, librarians, teachers and parents were realizing that good stuff was coming from their own time and place.”

By 2012, we can almost take that “good stuff” for granted. This year, 116 free public readings will take place, spread across all Canadian provinces and territories—check the full listing here to see if an event is taking place near you. The line-up includes a diverse selection of Canadian writers/illustrators including graphic novelist Willow Dawson (Hyena in Petticoats) middle-grade novelist Vikki Vansickle (Love is a Four-Letter Word), and illustrator Brian Deines (The Circle Game). Competition for a place on the Book Week author is fierce, and participants are excitedly looking forward to the week-long adventure ahead.

Willow Dawson remarks, "I really wish this program had existed when I was a kid. I would have learned to get over some of my fears related to reading and writing much earlier had I had the opportunity to meet real authors and illustrators, to hear their stories and learn a little about the process of creating. It can be really inspiring. This program is really awesome because it give kids all across Canada the chance to interact with the creators of their favourite books!"

This year’s Book Week poster was created by Janice Nadeau (Cinnamon Baby, Harvey), and delightfully captures the “Read a Book, Share a Story“ theme with illustrations showing reading as a community touchstone with the library at its centre. It’s worth noting too that the library Nadeau depicts in her poster is the Lillian H. Smith Library in Toronto, on the occasion of the centenary of Smith herself becoming the first trained children’s librarian in the British Empire. Smith would go on to have a long and successful career with the Toronto Public Library, becoming an international authority on children’s literature and library collections.