A Message from Anthony Browne

“As the UK Children’s Laureate for 2009-2011 I am delighted that the 33rd IBBY International Congress will be held in London in August 2012. I have a strong affection for IBBY and the work you do across the world to bring together children and their books, particularly in those places it is most needed. I saw this first-hand when I attended the IBBY Congress in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, to collect my much-cherished Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration. Like you, I want to encourage all children to discover books and enjoy reading. Of course, I hope they will discover and enjoy my books and those of other British authors and illustrators, but I also want them to experience the rich diversity of books and stories from other cultures around the world. The 2012 IBBY Congress has this as its central theme: an exploration of how our stories and books migrate, translate and find children across countries and across cultures. I look forward to welcoming you to London in 2012 to what I am certain will be an exciting and stimulating IBBY Congress.”

Anthony Browne
Children's Laureate 2009-2011

Crossing Boundaries

The main theme of the congress is Crossing Boundaries: Translations and Migrations. We will explore how books and stories for children and young people can cross boundaries and migrate across different countries and cultures. The congress will look at issues such as globalisation, dual-language texts, cultural exchange and the art of translation. Find out more...