Blog Posts

ibby congress in athens celebrates migrations

9/8/2018

From the opening invoking Homer and traditional music to the inspiring keynotes by literacy leaders from around the world, the Megaron Athens Conference Center hosted the 36th International IBBY Congress from October 30 to September 1, 2018. This modernist conference center in the midst of the classical world offered a platform for exploring the refugee crisis through the experiences of the youngest migrants and the literature encapsulating their challenges.

wrapping up ila 2018

7/23/2018

Many thanks to all the authors and publishers who helped make so many wonderful book signings happen at the USBBY booth during the ILA 2018 Conference. Check out some of the photos on our Facebook page!

Thanks also to every one who attended the Bites of OIB session. USBBY members shared their favorite OIB books along with ideas for using those books in the classroom.

Next up for USBBY: we'll be hosting a co-sponsored session at the NCTE conference in Houston this November. Stay tuned for more information!

eisner awards announced

7/22/2018

An international comic/graphic novel creator, Liniers (who now lives in Vermont) was among the winners of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, presented at the San Diego Comic-Con in July. His Good Night, Planet published by TOON received the "Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)."

Of special importance, our very own USBBY Board member Tucker Stone is sharing the "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" award along with co-editors Dan Nadel and Timothy Hodler, for The Comics Journal. Huzzah, Tucker!

Check out the list of winners at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2018-eisner-awards-complete-winners-list-1128983

International children's books lauded by T. Jonker as "Unconventional"

7/18/2018

In his SLJ "100 Scope Notes" blog on July 17, 2018, Travis Jonker named his picks for "The Most Astonishingly Unconventional Children's Books of 2018." Most astonishlngly--but not really--a majority of the titles were created by authors or illustrators in countries other than the U.S., originally published outside the U.S., or are translated. Some are still in press, so get the list (and a sneak peek) here.

jacqueline woodson is 2018 alma laureate

3/27/2018

Congratulations to Jacqueline Woodson on receiving the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award! The jury wrote the following in their citation:

“Jacqueline Woodson introduces us to resilient young people fighting to find a place where their lives can take root. In language as light as air, she tells stories of resounding richness and depth. Jacqueline Woodson captures a unique poetic note in a daily reality divided between sorrow and hope.”

Read the full press release here.

2018 ibby-asahi reading promotion award winner

3/26/2018

Sunjidmaa Jamba (Mongolia), chair of the Jury for the 2018 IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award today announced the winner of the 2018 IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award. IBBY is very grateful to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper company in Japan for their continuing sponsorship of this prestigious award.

The 2018 winning project is Les Doigts Qui Rêvent (Reading fingers).

Read more about the winner and see all the nominated projects here.

2018 Hans christian andersen award winners

3/26/2018

Patricia Aldana, Chair of the Jury for the Hans Christian Andersen Award of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) today announced the winners of the 2018 IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award, considered to be the "Nobel Prize" of children's literature. IBBY is very grateful to Nami Island Inc. in the Republic of Korea for their sponsorship of this prestigious award.

The 2018 winners are:
Eiko Kadono of Japan for Writing and Igor Oleynikov of Russia for Illustration

Read more here!

Remembering Susan stan

3/25/2018

Susan M. Stan of Minneapolis, renowned expert in international and multicultural children's literature, died of stomach cancer Wednesday, March 21, 2018. In her last days, she was surrounded by family and friends at NC Little Hospice, Edina. Stan, 72, retired to Minneapolis in 2014 after sixteen years as Professor of English at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She was past president of the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY). In 2011, Stan received a Fulbright Scholarship to do research at the International Library for Children's Literature In Munich, Germany. Stan served on selection committees for the prestigious Han Christian Andersen, Caldecott, and Batchelder children's literature awards, chairing the latter committee in 2012.

2018 outstanding international books list

2/9/2018

Head over to School Library Journal to hear from this year's OIB Committee about each book selected for the 2018 Outstanding International Books List.

Members of the 2018 Outstanding International Books Committee included: Martha M. Walke (Chair), South Strafford, VT; Kate Alseth, Omaha, NE; Mary Beth Dunhouse, Boston, MA; Bindy Fleischman, Newton, MA; Patrick Gall, Evanston, IL; Kathy Isaacs, Chesapeake, MD; Ruth McKoy Lowery, Columbus, OH; Barbara Scotto, Boston, MA; Stan Steiner, Jackson, WY.

Download a printable version of the list.

See past lists and more information here.

sad news

2/8/2018

Dear USBBY Friends:

It is with profound sadness that I share with you the news that longtime USBBY member and supporter, Bill Teale, passed away suddenly on Saturday at his home in Evanston, Illinois.

To honor the work and memory of Bill, the ILA Children’s Literature Assembly and the USBBY are jointly establishing the William H. Teale Memorial Fund. This fund will be used to sponsor international speakers for the ILA/USBBY co-sponsored session at the ILA Annual Convention. Donations can be made by going to the USBBY website at www.usbby.org, using the Membership/Donation Form or the USBBY Donation Form.

Our heartfelt sympathy go to his wife and past USBBY President, Junko Yokota, and their children as they try to cope with this unforeseen tragedy.

V Ellis Vance
USBBY Executive Director

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