world_pictures

Country Participation
Fifty-two selections have been received, from countries or from parts of countries which have
asked for a separate selection, due to their specific cultural identity and publishing context.
Each selection of ten titles was organised in the way that worked best for the country.
In some cases there was collaboration between IFLA members, IBBY, Library Associations
and a range of national youth library organisations. A variety of methods were used from online
surveys and national nominations and country wide voting to small groups of librarians
discussing and determining their list. The introductions to the country lists explain how the
choices were made and sometimes, give information on the country’s book publishing for
children. For additional Information, country co-ordinators’ names and email addresses are
given at the beginning of each selection.
Information on the Selections
The books within each list are arranged in the order that the country sent them to us. Some are
alphabetical and some have been arranged in order of votes received or priority given to them.
The reviews are published in English and the original language of the book. The English spellings
of words have also been left as they would be in each individual country. For more information
or comments about a particular list, the contact person for each country is mentioned on
its pages. If your country has not yet chosen its list of ‘favourite’ books but you would like to
become involved, please contact Annie Everall – email annie@alannie.demon.co.uk
Book Exhibitions
Two touring exhibition collections of the books were created, thanks to donations by the
publishers. These were exhibited in Finland (Joensuu and Helsinki) and France (Lyon) as part
of IFLA 2012 and 2014 conferences, and also in Japan, Korea, Reunion Island and Serbia. Articles
on these exhibitions were published In IFLA section Libraries for Children and Young Adults’
Newsletter in its issues of June 2013, January and June 2014 and January 2015, and can be read on
line on http://www.ifla.org/publications/51 Some exhibitors translated the book presentations
into their own language; a complete edition of the catalogue was published in Serbian.
The exhibition sets are based in the National Libraries of Japan and France and are available
for loan to libraries in any country wishing to exhibit them – each country will be responsible
for costs of transportation, insurance and security. All practical information on the exhibition
loan can be found on www.ifla.org/node/6718
Presentations at IFLA Conferences
Papers were presented at IFLA conferences, enabling participants to learn more about
the project and focusing on picture books in different countries. These illustrated
presentations can be found on the IFLA site, on these pages: http://conference.ifla.org/pastwlic/2012/2012-08-13.htm
and http://library.ifla.org/1057
Impact of the Programme
This has been a wonderful project to be involved with and its impact continues to grow.
Those librarians who have been involved have very much enjoyed organising the list for their
country and feel that they have learned a great deal. The programme has provided a valuable
opportunity to celebrate children’s books and the particular richness of children’s picture book
publishing around the world, as well as strengthening the partnership between librarians,
publishers and authors. The publishers and authors feel honoured and proud to be featured
in these lists, especially as they have been nominated by librarians. Perhaps the most positive
impact is that children are being enabled to share stories and pictures for all parts of the world.
“It was so much fun to read books from various countries!”, “It was a great opportunity to find a library with so
many picture books from all over the world!”
Comments from visitors to the exhibition at the International Library of Children’s Literature in Tokyo
the world through picture books • introduction • 8