Bookbird: A Journal of International Children’s Literature is seeking an editor or team

Bookbird, Inc., the management board of IBBY’s journal, Bookbird: A Journal of International Children’s Literature, seeks an editor or editorial team to commence work in 2026 in preparation for taking on the editing of the journal commencing with Issue 1 (January) 2027 for a four-year term.

Bookbird is a refereed journal published quarterly by IBBY (The International Board on Books for Young People). It is produced and distributed by JHUP (Johns Hopkins University Press). Bookbird is indexed in SCOPUS, Children’s Book Review Index, Library Literature, LISA, MLA International Bibliography, and Web of Science.

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization which represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.

A Bookbird Editor is expected to have the following qualifications:

• Commitment to the ideals of IBBY and the principles guiding the publication of Bookbird.
• An appropriate level of experience in editing a journal or books to publication level, including a thorough understanding of the publishing process and experience in working with copy editors, designers and printers.
• A degree in an appropriate discipline, e.g. literature, children’s literature, languages, childhood studies, publishing, librarianship, etc..
• An excellent knowledge of children’s literature in an international context.
• An ability to work with and encourage authors from a wide range of cultures and languages.
• An excellent command of the English language and a general ability to work with other languages and writers whose first language is not English. Proficiency in a language other than English will be an advantage.
• Good information technology skills, in particular related to editing and publishing.
• An ability to work within and keep to deadlines.
• A willingness to work closely with the Bookbird, Inc. Board, the IBBY Executive Committee and the IBBY Secretariat.
• Availability to travel to Bookbird meetings (two per year). There is a small budget for this.

Download information on the search here.

Applicants are required to submit the following by email:

• A detailed CV (resumé) that responds to the criteria listed above.
• A vision statement for Bookbird.
• The names, email addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. References will only be required prior to a possible decision to offer the position and will not be retained.

Team applications should include the items listed above in relation to each team member.

Applications should be submitted to:

• Valerie Coghlan, President of Bookbird, Inc.: [email protected].
• Ellis Vance, Treasurer of Bookbird, Inc.: [email protected].
• Evelyn Freeman, Secretary of Bookbird, Inc. [email protected].

​Further details about editing Bookbird will be supplied following a request to the Bookbird President and/or the Secretary.
Closing date for applications:  31 October 2025.
The post will be open until filled.