Prizes awarded during the annual celebration for the International Children's Book Day 2017

On the occasion of ICBD 2017, the Greek Section of IBBY had its annual celebration event at the Lillian Voudouri Great Music Library in Megaron-The Athens Concert Hall on April 1st in collaboration with The Friends of Music Society. Prizes were awarded to institutions and people who promote reading as well as creators of children and young people's literature for their distinctive writing, illustration and translation of books in 2016. The event took place under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the National Library of Greece, the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture as well as the reading campaign – Read and Change – which runs for the second consecutive year. The campaign has been initiated by the Association of Greek Publishers and Booksellers and (ENELVI), The Greek Section of IBBY and the Hellenic Authors' Society.

The ICBD 2017 poster was translated into Greek by the honorary member of IBBY and honorary president of IBBY Greece, Mrs. Loty Petrovits-Andrutsopulou. The poster was sponsored by Patakis Publications and was distributed to schools all around Greece and Cyprus. During our annual celebration event, the message was read both in Russian – the language it has been initially written – and Greek.

"Read & Share" books to be delivered to refugee-hosting schools

The "READ & SHARE" Reading Promotion Programme at refugee-hosting schools

The Greek Section of IBBY is implementing the "READ & SHARE" reading promotion programme for the third consecutive year. It is worth noting that during this year the "READ & SHARE" programme is being implemented at refugee-hosting schools in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs. Launching this cooperation, twenty portable libraries have been installed at refugee-hosting schools all over Greece in an effort to "bridge the worlds" among Greek and refugee children. "READ & SHARE" is based on an open library-exchange programme that functions according to a free lending system in order for children to have immediate access to books and love reading from an early age. The books come from various publishing houses or have been donated by IBBY Greece members. The books are submitted to IBBY Greece and are assessed by the different juries that have been awarding prizes for the last years.

The MP, Ms. C. Katsavria, together with Ms. Vassiliki Nika, IBBY Greece President, and Greek authors and illustrators who worked for the book From Mouth to Paper.

From Mouth to Paper - A Romani Fairytales Collection published by the Hellenic Parliament Publications

The book titled From Mouth to Paper containing fairytales from Romani's oral tradition re-written and adapted by significant children's literature authors and illustrated by important illustrators was presented during a special plenary session of the Hellenic Parliament. The publication project was coordinated by the Greek Section of IBBY while the book was published by the Hellenic Parliament Publications. During her speech at the Hellenic Parliament, Ms. Vassiliki Nika, President of IBBY Greece, pointed out the efforts IBBY makes to bridge different cultural and geographical worlds through books and stories. The plenary session was followed by a business lunch with Ms. T. Fotiou, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity, Ms. C. Katsavria, Member of the Parliament, and Romani representatives.

IBBY Greece at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2018

The Greek Section of IBBY attended the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2017. The 2018 Hans Christian Andersen Award nominations, Vagelis Iliopoulos (for Writing) and Christos Dimos (for Illustration), were presented at the national stand of Greece in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture. A special party was held to introduce the Greek nominees to the public.

Having completed the 'Treasure Hunt' game under the Acropolis hill.

The "READ" mission

On the occasion of the World Book Day (April 23), the Greek Section of IBBY in cooperation with the School Life and Education Museum organized an action game for children and their families. The actress, Ms. Filia Dendrinou, read Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales while volunteers-members of the Greek Section of IBBY designed and played the 'Treasure Hunt' game based on books and clues hidden at different parts of the historical centre of Athens and under the Acropolis hill. Vagelis Iliopoulos, the 2108 Hans Christian Andersen nominee for Writing and Children's Literature Ambassador participated in this significant event.

From the Czech Republic

Golden Ribbon award for the best books in Czech

On 24th April 2017, for the 25th year the authors of books for children and young adults were awarded the Golden Ribbon for the best books published in Czech language in 2016. The prestigious award was received by twelve books in twelve categories. Additionally, two publishers (Albatros and Pasparta) received a special mention. The Golden Ribbons for lifetime achievements were awarded as well.

Four juries in four categories – text, illustrations, translation and comics – chose out of almost 150 nominees. The overall level of quality was, as usual, very high and it was not easy for them to decide. The list of laureates contains some established authors such as Pavel Čech, Ivona Březinová and Renáta Fučíková, as well as new talents such as Tereza Vostradovská, Barbora Klárová, Tomáš Končinský and Patrik Antczak.

The winners of the Golden Child competition were announced also. The competition encourages children, parents and teachers to read and share their experience in imaginative ways to support reading and the relationship to literature.

The evening also marked the official opening of the exhibition of the illustrations from the shortlisted books. The exhibition will tour the Czech Republic throughout the next year.

Miffy's Creator, Dick Bruna, dies, aged 89

Picture of Dick Bruna in his studio. © Dolph Kohnstamm

Dick Bruna, creator of iconic children's character Miffy, died in the night of 16 February 2017, aged 89, in his home town of Utrecht.

Illustrator and author of 124 picture books, Bruna's career spanned 60 years. His 32 books about Miffy – the little white bunny with a round face and long pointed ears – brought global success beyond his native Holland. First published in 1955, the Miffy stories are now published in more than 50 languages, and have sold over 85 million copies worldwide. The Miffy books depict the timeless, universal idylls of childhood – days at the seaside, trips to the zoo – making them accessible to any child no matter where they are in the world.

Bruna's style of illustration – particularly Miffy's striking graphic, considered by many to be a design icon of the twentieth century – made him a household name in many parts of the globe. Inspired by Matisse, Léger and Mondrian, he always worked in 2D, using simple shapes, strong black outlines and a limited palette of primary colours. He believed each illustration should stand alone as a piece of art, yet he never lost the ability to see life through the eyes of a child. As a result, Bruna created a world of perfectly formed pictograms, instantly recognizable and adored by people of all ages. Asked to explain his success, Bruna replied: "I think it is because I spend a long time making my drawings as simple as possible, throwing lots away, before I reach that moment of recognition. What matters is reducing everything to its essence. Every shape captures the imagination, and I leave plenty of space for children's imagination." Dick Bruna was the Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee of the Dutch IBBY-section in 1998 and 2000.

A book for you

© Annelies van der Vegt.

On Saturday, 14 January 2017, an information and inspiration meeting was held concerning the project entitled "Een boek voor jou" (A book for you). The book was presented and a tour of the authors and illustrators for the benefit of refugee children was discussed. "A book for you" is an initiative of Marit Törnqvist, with the help of publishing house Em. Querido's Publishing for Children's Books, the Dutch Council for Refugees and the Dutch Foundation for Literature.

"A book for you"' contains stories and illustrations by authors and artists such as Annie M.G. Schmidt, Fiep Westendorp, Toon Tellegen, Max Velthuijs, Thé Tjong-Khing, Jacques Vriens, Paul van Loon, Bette Westera, Charlotte Dematons, Philip Hopman and Marit Törnqvist. The authors and illustrators contributed their texts/illustrations for free. The book is compiled for the benefit of the refugee children aged 4 to 12. All stories were translated to Arabic.

In January of 2017 a total of 5,000 copies of "A book for you" were distributed in refugee centers across the country. The goal is to welcome children to the Netherlands with beautiful Dutch stories, written in their own language. This way the children can get acquainted with the Dutch country and culture after arriving, hopefully finding relaxation and sharing the book with their parents. For children speaking different languages, books with no or very few words by Dutch authors were made available by the Dutch section of IBBY and Em. Querido. These were distributed simultaneously with "A book for you".

© Annelies van der Vegt.

In the spring of 2017 children's book authors and illustrators will organize activities in several refugee centers across the Netherlands. The general idea is to organize a simple workshop or other activities related to children's books and to acquaint themselves with the refugee children and their parents.

During the meeting on 14 January over ten experts working with refugee children shared their experiences with the audience. Three refugees talked about the reading environment in Syria and the situation in the refugee centers and ten-year old Hanan from Damascus read an extract from renowned Dutch children's book Jip and Janneke in Arabic. A Bosnian-Dutch musician performed several songs. The project's main subject was discussed throughout the meeting.

Marit Törnqvist: "I can hardly express how happy I am about the effort the people involved put into Saturday's meeting As a whole, the project works to improve the situation experienced by refugee children in the Netherlands. The enthusiastic support of the COA (the Dutch central organ for asylum for refugees) is a big help, it greatly increases the capacity of the project."

The presentation of the book 7 colors at the Bologna Book Fair 2017

From left to right: Alla Serobyan, Aleta Serobyan, Ruzan Tonoyan.

In 2015 and 2016 the Armenian National Section of IBBY, within the framework of the IBBY-Yamada programme called "The Child's Right to Become a Reader", organized and conducted a project-competition titled "The Young Adults and the Environment". The main aim of this project was to promote the development of children's literature in Armenia. During the project there were three three-day masterclasses for young Armenian writers, illustrators and translators organized.

The leader of the masterclass for writers was German writer Manfred Theisen. Klaas Verplancke, Belgian illustrator, was the leader of the masterclass for illustrators and the speaker of the masterclass for the translators was the British translator Daniel Hahn.

In the first creative phase of the project 7 writer-participants created 7 interesting stories by using their experience as well as their newly gained skills. Those stories were illustrated during the second phase of the project by 8 illustrator-participants. And in the third phase of the project the 15 translator-participants translated the resulting book into English from Armenian - 7 Colors.

The book was presented to the Armenian readers on December 10 2016, at the National Children's Library of Armenia. Wishing to present the book also to foreign readers IBBY Armenia with the support of IBBY International organized the presentation of the book 7 colors during the Bologna Book Fair on April 4, at IBBY International's stand. During the book presentation the president of IBBY Armenia Mrs. Ruzan Tonoyan presented the prehistory of the book creation. Alla Serobyan, who is the author of one of the stories titled Vasil included in the book, was also present. She told the audience about her story for young adults and answered the questions of the attendees.

We strongly believe that this book will find its readers and will promote reading development not only in Armenia but also worldwide.

Workshop for librarians
"Organizing and promoting reading among children and young adults in the libraries"

Highlighting the great role of the librarians in organizing and promoting reading among children and young adults, in 2017, IBBY Armenia with the support of IBBY Yamada Fund is intending to implement a workshop project for the Armenian librarians given by a specialist from abroad. Within the framework of this project IBBY Armenia plans to translate into Armenian and publish one foreign practical guide for librarians that will serve as a methodological guide for our librarian participants to organize and run similar workshops for other librarians. It will also serve as an important guide for our future librarians.

From France

Providing refugee and migrant children with books in their own languages:
A selection of 100 children's and young adults books in Arabic

Here is a selection of 100 books in Arabic for children and young adults published in different countries of the Arab world. It gives a panorama of a literature that has been experiencing a real boom in the past twenty years, offering quality works often awarded international prizes. Distributed by genre, in alphabetical order of title, this selection of books also includes some translations into Arabic of books originally published in other languages, with the aim of creating bridges between languages ​​and cultures. A short description of each book's content is available in French.

This selection was made in order to provide information on the best books for children and young adults in Arabic. People working with refugee or migrant children from the Arab world now have the means to provide them with books in their own language.

Presentations in English of 25 of these books are featured on the IBBY Europe website. We plan to do this for the remaining 75 books to reach the English-speaking librarians and people working with children from the Arab World.

The selection was made by the Arab World Reading Committee of the magazine Takam Tikou, which brings together professionals from different backgrounds (IBBY France / The French National Library, The Institute of the Arab World, Public libraries of the City of Paris). Download the selection in pdf.

From left to right: Nathalie Sfeir (IMA), Amina Hachimi Alaoui (Yanbow al-Kitab) and Nadia Essalmi (Yomad).

A seminar on "Children's literature in the Arab World"

The guest of honour of Livre Paris 2017 (The Paris Book Fair) was Morocco. On this occasion, the Institute of the Arab World and IBBY France organised a seminar dedicated to children's literature in the Arab World. The seminar was held on the Moroccan stand of Livre Paris 2017 on Monday, 27 March. The programme (in French) is available here.

The online journal Takam Tikou dedicated its annual dossier to Books and Reading in Morocco. Among articles and interviews with book professionals and academics in Morocco and abroad, the dossier includes a selection of the best Moroccan children's books published in the last 10 years.

Together we are stronger

Established in 1953 in Switzerland, IBBY finally reached the Baltics in the last decade of the 20th century. The situation here somewhat reminiscent of Western Europe after the Second World War. Countries were tired of occupation but full on enthusiasm to cherish and disseminate children's and YA literature and guarantee that every child has access to quality books. In 1991 Lithuania was a young country that had just regained its independence and a decision to set up a local IBBY branch was taken. At that time there was one thing we had in excess and that was enthusiasm. Money for the membership fee or even at least a modest place to run activities was difficult to find.

However, the world would be a sad place if there were no true friends out there. But if one is lucky, some friends remain friends for life. The Swedish Institute paid the annual IBBY memberships fees and the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania provided premises for the new IBBY Lithuania. Ever since then we are inextricably linked with the National Library. We share books, common spaces, whereas some of the most active members of IBBY Lithuania come from the Children and Youth Literature Department. Sweden has also remained our friend. We hold joint exhibitions, seminars, conferences, host Swedish authors and have sent our specialists on study visits numerous times.

It is particularly symbolic that when the National Library was reopened after 8 years of renovation, visitors to the Children and Youth Literature Department were greeted with brightly coloured brand new premises, which sported Lithuanian and Swedish flags. A project carried out together with Swedish partners lead to launching a Room for Children, an innovative place for the young readers. It's a place for joy where one may explore books, spaces and the world or read in big comfy armchairs or find privacy a reading house. It's a place for playing with parents of grandparents, counting letters or growing a dragon egg with stories. Like other strict library rules, an alphabetical display of books is not necessary. Kids chose books by topic or cover and read on the windowsill or on the carpet. Have we guessed what children need? Come, visit us and see for yourself.

Another active year for IBBY UK. At the moment the Collection of IBBY Honour Books for Illustration are touring the country and have been with us since Christmas. The venues that have hosted the exhibition have included Brighton, Roehampton University, The National Centre for Children's Books in Newcastle and Worcester University. We look forward to having the Silent Books Collection later in the year.

Book displays at the NCRCL.

In Lithuania.

Highlights of the past months have been a very successful event with our 2016 IBBY Honour book nominees – S.F. Said, Laura Carlin and, the translator, Chantal Wright. Then there was the Annual conference held at Roehampton University in partnership with The National Centre for Research in Children's Literature. This year the theme, Marvellous Imaginations: extending thinking through picture books, created a packed day of interesting papers exploring such ideas as empathy and how picture books could engage and encourage young readers to explore ideas and issues.

Earlier this year members of the committee were part of a cultural delegation to Lithuania as part of the preparations for the London Book Fair 2018 when the Baltic States will be the guest region.

The Libbylit Awards are given once a year by the French-speaking branch of IBBY Belgium. For the first time the winners were presented during Brussels Book Fair, which is the most prestigious book fair for French-speaking Belgium. The award ceremony took place on Monday, 13 March, followed by a meeting with the winners, and/or their editors. Awards for Belgian books are usually given: a French-language picture book, an early childhood picture book, a French-language novel for teenagers, a French-language novel for young readers, and the jury can also award special mentions when they wish!

The Libbylit Awards 2016 poster can be downloaded here.