Celebrating literacy with Children’s Book Week

“Robbie Raccoon and Blackbear the Pirate’s Golden Treasure,” written by David Doyon of Moultonborough, can’t seem to stay on the library shelf. It’s constantly being competitively checked out and used in book reports.

Doyon’s niece and book illustrator, Valerie Doyon, heard from her son’s friend, who was pumped to share he was next in line to check the book out from the Rockport Public Library in Massachusetts.

One kid even dressed as Robbie Raccoon for Halloween, something David never expected.

“It makes me feel good that kids like it,” he said in a phone interview while on a cruise in the Mediterranean. “It will be an option for kids to read other than the big ones.”

Thousands of children’s book authors across the nation create triple the number of pages of literary works, which is a good thing, as National Children’s Book Week is currently underway.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country, according to the nonprofit Every Child a Reader. Every year, young people across the country participate by attending events at schools, libraries, and bookstores, celebrating at home, and engaging with book creators both online and in person. This year, the week is celebrated twice, May 5-11, and Nov. 3-9.

Reading is fundamental

Local libraries rallied around the initiative. After all, early literacy is a main focus of the children’s room.

“The purpose of Children’s Book Week is to highlight the importance of children’s literacy and reading to children of all ages,” said J’Lillian Mello, children’s librarian at Gilford Public Library. The library celebrated Children’s Book Week with book displays and materials like activity packets and coloring pages.

“Knowing that 75% of a child’s brain is already developed from birth to 5 years old really emphasizes the importance of early literacy skills, and how crucial reading is to a child's development,” Mello said.

In Belmont, early literacy is championed all year round.

“Early literacy really is the foundation for lifelong learning,” said Eileen Gilbert, library director at Belmont Public Library, whose resignation was recently shared at the Nov. 5 selectboard meeting. “Reading with children helps build language skills, focus, empathy and imagination — and even before kids can read on their own, listening to stories helps them develop vocabulary and a love of books that lasts a lifetime.”

According to the Franklin Public Library Facebook page, National Children’s Book Week is being celebrated in conjunction with children’s book character Dog Man, from “Dog Man and Friends” by Dav Pilkey, who is known for his popular “Captain Underpants” series.

Activities throughout the week included Dog Man crafts, raffles and a coloring contest. Children who visit the library will receive a free poster and bookmark, among other items.

“Come visit us anytime this week and discover the joy of reading — we can’t wait to see you there,” reads a Facebook post from the Franklin library.

Lakes Region reads

Seasonal Laconia resident Deb Langton never thought she’d be an author. But with the idea that her stories of rescue pet companionship could lead to higher pet adoption rates, she was all in.

“I love animals, particularly dogs,” Langton said, the author of “Every Kid Needs a Rescue,” a 75-page kids book meant for ages 7-12. “That was my inspiration. It's the joy, love and comfort I felt growing up with my dog. She was rescued from a puppy mill basically.”

Ollie, her daughter’s rescue dog, is the star of the book. Throughout “Every Kid Needs a Rescue,” photos of Ollie fill the pages, along with anecdotal narratives in the hope the endearing stories encourage readers to ask their parents for a rescue pet.

“He’s an old soul. He’s an old soul in a canine body,” she said. “They’re such wonderful companions.”

The tales inside the pages are from Langton’s time with her soul dog.

“It’s so gratifying to know that kids are liking it, hopefully, and reading it,” she said. [ogs are a "dependable and wonderful source of comfort for kids. Today's world is so unpredictable and busy, and they provide companionship. Especially kids who don’t have many friends.”

Similarly to Langton, Doyon never thought he’d write a children’s book.

Years ago, while living in Massachusetts, he penned a first draft and shelved it. Last fall, after having surgery on his back, he decided to dust off the draft, and bring it to life.

The inspiration for his tale is nostalgic: Memories of playing alongside his 13 siblings in the backyard swamp near a large silver birch tree, in an area they thought resembled “Treasure Island.”

“Before I retired I had bought a home in my hometown that was almost across the street from where I grew up. It was part of the basis for my story, because I was sitting there, reminiscing about playing in the woods in the swamp,” Doyon said.

From here, the idea took off, and his niece Valerie entered the picture. A lifelong artist, he asked Valerie to illustrate the book.

Actually, he told her to “do her thing.” So she did.

“It was nice. It was a really good opportunity for him and I. We’d talk on the phone for an hour or two with different ideas,” Valerie said.

“Robbie Raccoon” is 52 pages long, and features hand-painted illustrations, not digital ones featured in most books today.

“It brings that comforting feeling of old books,” she said.

Local authors and illustrators enjoyed the creative process. Publishing a work of art serves as a way to entertain kids for years to come — not just during National Children’s Book Week.

“I’m very excited, and I picture the little kids having this feeling of adventure,” Valerie said. “I think the kids will love it.”

Both Langton’s and Doyon’s books are available online through janicebeetlebooks.com, as well as select libraries including Moultonborough, Laconia and Meredith.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.