Canadian Children’s Book Week: Celebrations Start This Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (April 24, 2026)—The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is excited to announce the start of Canadian Children’s Book Week.

From April 26-May 2, Canadian children's authors and illustrators will embark on a cross-country tour to share stories and captivate the imaginations of children and teens. Twenty-four in-person tours and four virtual tours will take place during the event.

Throughout the week, thousands of young people at schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres across Canada will participate in reading and sharing stories, engaging in hands-on creative story-building and arts activities, and sharing the joy of Canadian children’s literature.  

“The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is thrilled to launch Book Week 2026 with 27 of Canada’s finest authors and illustrators visiting with kids across the country this week. Every year we hear from educators that a Book Week visit was the highlight of a students’ year, that that one student who was unengaged with reading, is now charged up”, says Stephanie Wells, CCBC Executive Director. “And we also hear from the book creators who tour, how Book Week has given them the opportunity to meet the kids that inspire their work. It is a real win-win-win program, and we are delighted to be able to inspire young people to find their own stories through the connections they make this week.”

The CCBC would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, New Brunswick Arts and Culture, Manitoba Library Association, BC’s School District #73 and Fondation Sandra et Alain Bouchard, without whose support many of the tours would not have been possible. 

This year marks the first time we are partnering with the Morrin Centre’s Imagination Festival (Quebec City) and Memorial University’s Sparks Literary Festival (St. John’s, Newfoundland). Partnerships like these are critical to extending our reach.

Once again, we are grateful to First Book Canada for sponsoring 13 readings across the country. This support provides presentations to schools and libraries in high needs communities and provides the host venues with multiple copies of selected titles by the visiting author or illustrator.

Be sure to check out one of the public events taking place as part of Book Week in the following locations:

ALBERTA
Wednesday, April 29 / 4:00-5:00 p.m. ANALOG BOOKS (322 6 Street South, Lethbridge, AB). Author Meet n’ Greet (and book signing) with Ontario author Ted Staunton and Alberta author Maria Marianayagam. Phone: 403-942-7403. Email: books@analogbooks.net.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Saturday, April 25 / 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY (R. Gushue Hall). St. John’s, NL. “How Thinking Like a Reporter Can Help You Write a Book for Kids with Quebec author Monique Polak” will take place as part of the Sparks Literary Festival. Workshop is free and open to the public. To register, visit mun.ca/english/sparks/schedule.

Sunday, April 25 / 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY (R. Gushue Hall). St. John’s, NL. Quebec author Monique Polak will speak as part of the panel “Picture Stories.” Event is free and open to the public. Visit mun.ca/english/sparks/schedule.

Wednesday, April 29 / 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. LABRADOR CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY (306 Hudson Drive, Labrador City, NL A2V 1L5). Goose Bay, Labrador author-illustrator Kayla Williams will give a presentation. Ages 4 years old and up. Phone: 709-944-2190.

ONTARIO
Sunday, April 26 / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (1010 Main St. E., Milton, ON L9T 6H7). Toronto illustrator Nadia Alam will offer her “Character Builders” workshop for kids (ages 8-12). Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Phone: 905-875-2665.

Monday, April 27 / 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (1010 Main St. E., Milton, ON L9T 6H7) Kids and parents are invited to meet BC author Kim Spencer who will give a presentation based on her new picture book, Springtime in Kitkatla. Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Phone: 905-875-2665.

Saturday, May 2 / KANHIOTE PUBLIC LIBRARY (1658 York Rd., Deseronto, ON K0K 1X0). BC author-illustrator Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley will be giving two presentations: “Intro to Woodland Art” (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) and “We Belong to the Land” (1:00 – 2:00 p.m). Phone: 613-967-6264. Email: kanhiotelibrary@gmail.com

QUEBEC
Sunday, April 26 / 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. LIVRES BABAR BOOKS (46 St. Anne Street, Pointe Claire, QC) Book Week Launch Party with Ontario author Kern Carter, Ontario author-illustrator Elly MacKay, Ontario author Matteo L. Cerilli, BC author-illustrator Stacey Chomiak, and Quebec author Lydia Lukidis. Books for sale and signing plus refreshments. Information: Livres Babar Books, 514-694-0380. Email: babarbooks@gmail.com

Monday, April 27 / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL (Pavilion Louis-Jacques-Casault, Room 1630, Quebec City, QC) hosts “Conversation with the Creators” panel discussion including Ontario author Kern Carter, BC author-illustrator Stacey Chomiak, and Ontario author-illustrator Elly MacKay. Book signing to follow discussion.

Monday, April 27 / 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. BLACK CAT BOOKS (168-E Queen Street, Sherbrooke, QC). Book Signing with Matteo L. Cerilli, Toronto author of middle-grade and young adult novels. Phone: 819-346-1786. Email: boutiqueduchatnoir@gmail.com

Thursday, April 30 / 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. BLACK CAT BOOKS (168-E Queen Street, Sherbrooke, QC). Book Signing with Lydia Lukidis, Quebec author of picture books, non-fiction, and junior graphic novels. Phone: 819-346-1786. Email: boutiqueduchatnoir@gmail.com

SASKATCHEWAN
Tuesday, April 28 / 4:00 – 5:00 pm ROSETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY (201 5 Avenue East, Rosetown, SK) hosts author Kristy Jackson for her presentation called That’s So Embarassing. For kids who are 8 years old and up. Library membership not required. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Phone: 306-882-3566

The 2026 Canadian Children’s Book Week Line Up!

We are happy to share the roster of touring book creators:

*denotes first-time participant

For more information, contact:

Carol-Ann Hoyte
Events and Program Manager
416-975-0010 ext. 2
carol-ann@bookcentre.ca