Are The Kids Gonna Be Alright? This year’s Frankurt Kids Conference at FBM24 to explore responsibilities in Children’s Book Publishing
How do we promote access to books and what concepts are there to support children with stories, even in crisis situations? Which stories need to be told that will foster respect and mutual understanding?
This year’s Frankfurt Kids Conference at Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2024) was inspired by similar thoughts expressed earlier this year by Cornelia Funke – who is confirmed as keynote speaker. "Paving the Way for the Future: Responsibility in Children’s Book Publishing" will take place on October 16 to draw attention to the impact children’s books have on young readers all over the world and our role in creating open minds and getting books into the hand of those who will help shape our future.
Moderated by award-winning author and translator Lawrence Schimel, the expert panels will feature a select group of high-ranking international publishing professionals:
Dominique Raccah, CEO, Founder & Publisher, Sourcebooks, U.S.
Ken Wilson-Max, Publisher, Kumusha Books/HarperCollins Publishers, UK
Ani Rosa Almario, VP for Product Development, Adarna House, Inc., Philippines
Carolina Ballester, Executive Director, IBBY
Åsa Bergman, Head of Office, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Karine Pansa, President of the International Publishers Association
Paolo Canton, Publisher, Topipittori, Italy
Ivan Fedechko, Rights Sales Manager, The Old Lion Publishing House, Ukraine
Daniela Filthaut, General Manager, Gerstenberg Verlag, Germany
In "Peace is our responsibility – Sharing the values in children’s book publishing that make a difference", the panelists will discuss the importance of values and diversity in children's books to help create a more inclusive and peaceful world.
The panel "Books without Barriers: Accessibility in Publishing" is going to explore how can we ensure that all children, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, have access to books.
The last panel, "Responsibility in Children’s Book Publishing: What does that entail?" will look at what it means to publish books for children responsibly, from creating a transparent publishing program and responsible outreach to publishing books in translation and ensuring that books cross borders.
Following the panels the conference will feature a networking event with themed tables focusing on specific subjects that will each be hosted by a facilitator who is an expert in the respective field.
The discussion at the Sustainability table, for example, will be led by Rachel Martin, Global Director Sustainability at Elsevier. The other table topics are Accessibility / Disability, POC, and Creators' Responsibility.
All profits from the event will be donated to Medicine Across Frontiers.
Website: buchmesse.de/en/frankfurt-kids(opens in a new window)
Tickets: eventbrite.de/e/frankfurt-kids-conference-tickets-912006444827(opens in a new window)