IBBY International Board on Books for Young People

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IBBY  International Board on Books for Young People IBBY represents an international network of people committed to bringing books and children together. They work on a voluntary basis.

IBBY represents countries with well-developed book publishing and literacy programmes, and other countries with only a few dedicated professionals who are doing pioneer work in children's book publishing and promotion. The National Sections are organized in many different ways and operate on national, regional and international levels. In countries that do not have a National Section, individual membership in IBBY is possible. The membership of the National Sections include authors and illustrators, publishers and editors, translators, journalists and critics, teachers, university professors and students, librarians and booksellers, social workers and parents. IBBY's policies and programmes are determined by its Executive Committee: ten people from different countries and a President, elected biennially by the National Sections at a General Assembly during the IBBY Congresses. The daily management of IBBY's affairs is conducted from its Secretariat in Basel, Switzerland. The annual dues from the National Sections are IBBY's only source of regular income. Independent financing is necessary to support IBBY activities. As a non-governmental organization with an official status in UNESCO and UNICEF, IBBY has a policy-making role as an advocate of children's books. IBBY is committed to the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the United Nations in 1990. One of its main proclamations is the right of the child to a general education and to direct access to information. Thanks to IBBY’s insistence, the resolution includes an appeal to all nations to promote the production and distribution of children's books. IBBY also cooperates with many international organizations and children's book institutions around the world and exhibits at the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna and other international book fairs.

Meet the 2028 Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury 🏆The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international distinc...
30/10/2026

Meet the 2028 Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury 🏆

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international distinction in books for young people. Presented every two years by IBBY, it recognises a writer and an illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children's and youth literature.

Ten specialists from across the globe have been selected by the IBBY Executive Committee to serve on the 2028 Jury, working under the guidance of Jury President Shereen Kreidieh, with IBBY Executive Director Carolina Ballester serving ex officio as Jury Secretary:

🌍 Nadia El Kholy (Egypt) — Professor at Cairo University and President of the Egyptian Book Council for Young Readers, specialising in children's literature and translation.
🌍 Giorgia Grilli (Italy) — Professor of children's literature at the University of Bologna and co-founder of the Italian Centre of Research in Children's Literature.
🌍 Le Thu Phuong Quynh (Vietnam) — Children's book publisher specialising in editorial development, picture books and translation, with the global literacy team of Room to Read.
🌍 Shailaja Menon (India) — Expert in early literacy and children's literature, leading initiatives at Tata Trusts and educational festivals across India.
🌍 Mare Müürsepp (Estonia) — Distinguished scholar and critic of children's literature, with extensive experience in academia and international literary evaluation.
🌍 Ana Elsa (Anel) Martínez Pérez (Mexico) — Researcher, teacher and cultural manager focused on the history of reading, children's literature and reading promotion.
🌍 Josiane Polidori (Canada) — Former head of the Children's Literature Library and Archives at the National Library of Canada.
🌍 Sara Reis da Silva (Portugal) — Scholar and assistant professor with habilitation at the Institute of Education, University of Minho, Braga.
🌍 Margaret Anne Suggs (Ireland) — Illustrator and educator whose teaching and artistic work have shaped children's literature.
🌍 Jochen Weber (Germany) — Head of the language section at the International Youth Library in Munich, children's book translator and reviewer.

📅 The 2028 nominees will be announced on 5 April 2027 at the IBBY Press Conference during the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

With gratitude to the Selangor Public Library Corporation for sponsoring the Award, and for their unwavering support of IBBY's mission to bring books and children together.

🔗 Learn more at ibby.org

28/10/2026

The 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award Ceremony is now available to watch! 🎉

At the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, the International Board on Books for Young People conferred the highest international distinction in children’s literature upon Michael Rosen (United Kingdom) for Writing and Cai Gao (China) for Illustration — two creators whose bodies of work have shaped the reading lives of generations through honesty, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the child’s perspective.

Michael Rosen’s writing reflects the rhythms of children’s language and thought, combining playfulness with emotional depth and social awareness across poetry, novels, and non-fiction. Cai Gao’s illustrations move between tradition and modernity, expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling for young readers through technical mastery and creative sensitivity.

Watch the full ceremony, hear the winners’ acceptance speeches, and celebrate with us: youtube.com/.international 🏅

A week after Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, we are filled with gratitude for the time spent with our global community! 📚A big...
21/10/2026

A week after Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, we are filled with gratitude for the time spent with our global community! 📚

A big thank you to every IBBY member, Honour List awardee, nominee, creator and reading promoter who stopped by Hall 4.0, Stand F95. Seeing the 2026 IBBY Honour List and the IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books in Indigenous and Endangered Languages spark such meaningful conversations was a privilege to be a part of. ❤️

A heartfelt thank you to the Frankfurt Book Fair and our partners for welcoming us and curating such a riveting programme. From the White Ravens presentation to the IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award, and the German Children's Literature Prize to the Frankfurt Kids Conference, the fair offered countless moments of inspiration that echo our own mission to bring books and children together. ✨

"What the official reports can’t quite capture…" ✨ In this IBBY Blog Post, two months after the 40th IBBY World Congress...
14/10/2026

"What the official reports can’t quite capture…" ✨
In this IBBY Blog Post, two months after the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, former IBBY Vice-President Tina Bilban shares a personal reflection on the moments that lived between the sessions, the introspective glimpses into the art of Sydney Smith and Jon Klassen, the insping keynotes, the friendships rekindled, and the new borderless collaborations sparked over coffee and ice cream.

From the evolution of the Adriatic Sections’ shared initiatives to a moving tribute to Slovenian nominee for the 2026 IBBY-iRead Award, Slavko Pregl, whose Golden Reader project left an indelible mark on reading promotion, Tina reflects on the bonds that make IBBY a community. 🕊️

Read the full reflection on the IBBY website at ibby.org/news-blog 📚

IBBY at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026! 🌍Join us from 6–11 October at Hall 4.0, Stand F95 as we celebrate global children’s li...
01/10/2026

IBBY at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026! 🌍
Join us from 6–11 October at Hall 4.0, Stand F95 as we celebrate global children’s literature. This year, we are excited to showcase the following at our stand:

✨ The 2026 IBBY Honour List: Discover our largest selection ever, featuring 191 outstanding titles in 52 languages from 59 countries.
📚 IBBY-UNESCO Collection: Explore a selection of the collection in Indigenous and Endangered Languages, championing the right of every child to read in their mother tongue.

We are also proud to promote these key events from our wonderful partners happening across the fair:
🗓️ 7 October
🕤 9:30 – 10:00 | The White Ravens 2026 (Dialogue Stage, Foyer 4.0)
🕝 14:30 – 15:00 | IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award Ceremony (Global Stage, Foyer 5.1/6.1)
🕞 15:30 – 18:00 | Frankfurt Kids Conference (Imagination Stage, Hall 4.0 J85)

🗓️ 9 October 🕠 17:30 – 19:20 | German Children’s Literature Award (Congress Center – Saal Harmonie, E2)

🗓️ 7–11 October 📍 IBBY Italia Choice 2026 Exhibition and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Stand (Hall 3.1 B123)

Come say hello to the IBBY team, explore our exhibitions, and join us in bringing books and children together.

Relive the magic of Ottawa! 📚Our latest newsletter captures defining moments of the 40th IBBY World Congress, hosted by ...
18/09/2026

Relive the magic of Ottawa! 📚
Our latest newsletter captures defining moments of the 40th IBBY World Congress, hosted by IBBY Canada, with over 500 delegates from 50+ countries united under the theme "Listening to Each Other’s Voices."

From the record-breaking Honour List and moving Award Ceremonies to the launch of the IBBY-UNESCO Collection and the handover to the 41st IBBY World Congress in Barcelona 2028, hosted by IBBY Spain! ✨

👉 Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/ibby/reliving-the-40th-ibby-world-congress

IBBY International joins the world in honoring the legacy of Dolly Parton, a true champion of literacy and childhood. In...
11/09/2026

IBBY International joins the world in honoring the legacy of Dolly Parton, a true champion of literacy and childhood.

In tribute, IBBY President Basarat Kazim reflects on Parton’s life, noting that while some use their voice to become famous, Parton used hers to give voice to those who may never be heard. From her deep love for her father to the global impact of the Imagination Library, Parton demonstrated that one person’s determination can confront inequality and change millions of lives.

As the Dollywood Foundation ensures her work will continue, IBBY salutes Dolly Parton for her courage, generosity, and unwavering belief that every child deserves a story.

We invite our community to read the full tribute through our blog at ibby.org.

IBBY is pleased to announce its new Executive Committee elected for the term 2026–2028, at the General Assembly held on ...
11/09/2026

IBBY is pleased to announce its new Executive Committee elected for the term 2026–2028, at the General Assembly held on August 8 in Ottawa, Canada. 📚

In their first meeting on August 10, the Committee appointed the 2028 IBBY Reading Promotion Awards Jury and began strategic planning for the upcoming term, including preparations for the 41st IBBY World Congress in Barcelona.

For the full list of elected officers and appointments, read the press release:https://www.ibby.org/fileadmin/user_upload/press_releases/2628-1__IBBY_New_Executive_Committee__11.09.26.pdf

We look forward to the work ahead as we continue our mission to bring books and children together.

Today, we join UNESCO and the global community in celebrating the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day. 🌍Since...
08/09/2026

Today, we join UNESCO and the global community in celebrating the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day. 🌍

Since 1966, this day has reminded us that literacy is a fundamental human right that must be protected. This year’s theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” highlights how reading and writing are essential for empowering young people and building sustainable societies in harmony with our world.

Despite decades of progress, the challenge remains urgent: around the world, 273 million children and youth are out of school, 4 in 10 children are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading, and 70% of ten-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple text.

At IBBY, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has the right to become a reader and access the transformative power of books.

Visit unesco.org/en/days/literacy to learn more. 📖

We were thrilled to host the IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award 2026 ceremony today, a highlight of the 40th ...
07/08/2026

We were thrilled to host the IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award 2026 ceremony today, a highlight of the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa. ❤️
This biennial award celebrates individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reading promotion worldwide.

We are delighted to congratulate our two distinguished winners 🏆:

Kirsten Boie (Germany): A renowned author and advocate who has dedicated over 20 years to ensuring equal access to reading education. Through her Möwenweg Foundation and the BOOKCRAZY campaign, she has supported thousands of children in Germany and Eswatini.

Namita Jacob (India): An expert in disability inclusion and Program Director of Chetana Trust. Her pioneering work has created accessible reading materials for children who are blind, deaf, or deafblind, with initiatives now reaching over 100 countries.

The ceremony, emceed by Jury Co-Chairs Elisabetta Lippolis and Jane O’Hanlon, was a warm occasion of shared appreciation. We also took a moment to celebrate all the nominees submitted this year. The strength of their applications highlighted the incredible impact of reading promotion work happening globally. We extend our sincere gratitude to all IBBY Sections for their thoughtful nominations.

We were also grateful for the presence of Ms. Xinting Wang, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Shenzhen iRead Foundation. She spoke on the importance of this initiative and the foundation’s continued commitment to spreading the joy of reading to every corner of the globe.

Congratulations to Kirsten and Namita, and to all the nominees, for their inspiring work. 📚

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