Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A trio of Kiwis at Bologna Children’s Book Fair

PANZ News

Bologna Children’s Book Fair usually has a couple of Kiwis attending, but this year there were more - including  publisher Julia Marshall of Gecko Press, agent Frances Plumpton and university professor Libby Limbrick.

Julia told PANZ News that she believed attendance was somewhat down at the Fair this year because American publishers thought the date too close to Easter to travel.
“But I found good book energy – there was risk taking and it didn’t feel a dime a dozen on a few themes. Authors were thinking quite laterally.”

Julia says that following Taipei she had a good range under the Gecko imprint to present at Bologna and reports were positive from buyers. “The signs were good, but there’s a lot of follow up each time before sales are confirmed.” Gecko’s lead books were new Joy Cowley titles, The Bakehouse and Ratenberg, and two picture books, Have you seen Elephant? and How to be Famous - both of these by graduates of the Cambridge School of Illustration.

The Bakehouse cover may look a little challenging, but Julia’s response is “Not grim - strong! Good strong Joy Cowley in fact,” of the tale about the dangers of war that don’t always stay at the front line, and that one boy’s actions can change everything.

 Frances Plumpton says she was wearing two hats at the recent Bologna Book Fair. “I was there as a literary agent, and also to support Libby Limbrick reporting on preparations for forthcoming IBBY World Congress to be held in Auckland August 2016. 

“Libby and I were invited to the IBBY Executive meeting on Sunday prior to the fair, for the report from the 2014 Mexican Congress and for Libby to present an overview of the current status for the Auckland Congress.

“On Monday we attended the annual IBBY Press Conference which covers the activities for the past year as well as updates on forthcoming projects. Libby once again presented a powerpoint of our forthcoming Congress highlights, culminating with a video prepared by Tourism NZ which was received by a rapt audience. (View at: www.ibbycongress2016.org/. The conference also announced the nominees for the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award - Joy Cowley is NZ’s candidate

“As well as promoting the Congress on the IBBY stand, Libby was also able to attend the 2015 International Children’s Laureate Summit, organised by Ann James of Australia’s Books Illustrated, and chaired by The Guardian children’s books editor Julia Eccleshare.

“My impression of this year’s fair which although busy, was compromised by the closeness of Easter, with many publishers trimming their teams. Picture books and young adult were still strong interests but there was demand for standalone titles in contrast to the series of previous years.”

Pictured above: Libby Limbrick with Julia Eccleshare on the IBBY stand at Bologna


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