Frankfurt Kids: Children’s and young adult media at Frankfurter Buchmesse
Over 1500 international publishers, awards ceremonies, authors and many other events / Frankfurt New Generation – a new area for young people
At this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2019), Frankfurt Kids will take place in several areas. German-language exhibitors will present their work in Hall 3.0, where many readings and panel discussions will be held on the Frankfurt Kids Stage (Hall 3.0 K 137). Also nearby is the new Frankfurt New Generation area (Hall 3.0 K 91) – a space dedicated specially to topics of interest to young people: In cooperation with the JungeMedienJury (YoungMediaJury) of the Frankfurt public library, during the trade visitor days, Frankfurt New Generation will serve as a point of contact for booksellers, librarians and anyone who works with young adult books. At the weekend of the fair, the team at the stand will change, and young people from the JungeMedienJury (YoungMediaJury) will host various events, including, for example, selfie campaigns featuring visitors’ favourite books.
In the international Frankfurt Kids area (Foyer 5.1/6.1), exhibitors from around the world will present their new and classic titles, electronic media and innovations. There will also be an international professional programme curated by the Berlin-based bookstore “Mundo Azul”, which specialises in illustrated children’s books.
“What I find particularly fascinating about children’s and young adult media is the interplay between philosophy, history, text and image. With Frankfurt Kids, the enormous range of this genre is on display at the largest trade fair for content”, says Hendrik Hellige, Director Business Development Children's Books/Visual Arts.
Some Frankfurt Kids highlights
Europe, children’s rights and the political in children’s and young adult books (Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 1 – 2 pm, Frankfurt Kids Stage 3.0, Hall 3.0 K 137)
Europe, 30 years of children’s rights and the active promotion of new talent characterise the work of the Deutsche Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur (German Academy for Children’s and Young Adult Literature). This round table brings together authors of non-fiction, realistic and fantastical books for children and young adults. They present their view of children’s literature and explore the question of what children can be exposed to and trusted to take on. Jens Raschke (Korbinian – Paul Maar award-winner 2019) in discussion with Verena Reinhardt (nominee for the Korbinian – Paul Maar Award 2017 and 2018), Rieke Partwardhan (nominee for the Korbinian – Paul Maar Award 2019) and the acclaimed author Susanne Schädlich. The event will be moderated by Dr Jana Mikota, Deutsche Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur (German Academy for Children’s and Young Adult Literature).
“Is your book instagrammable? How to present books effectively on social media.” (Thursday, 17 October 2019, 1.30 – 2.15 pm, Frankfurt Kids – Stage 3.0, Hall 3.0 K 137)
Having a social media presence is a must if you want to reach young people. But what does a good presentation of an author, book, book influencer or bookstore on Instagram look like? What works? And do you really have to be active on all platforms? The AKJ/Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur e.V. (Working Group for Young Adult Literature) offers answers.
Reception for Norwegian illustrators (Thursday, 17 October 2019, 5 – 6 pm, Frankfurt Kids – Stage 3.0, Hall 3.0 K 137)
The president of Illustratoren Organisation E.V., the professional association of German-language illustrators, Franziska Walther, welcomes Norwegian guests to Frankfurter Buchmesse and warmly invites all illustrators, interested parties and journalists to a small champagne reception. The get-together is an opportunity for everyone to exchange ideas, get to know each other and round off the day at the fair together. In addition, current work by Norwegian illustrators will be presented as part of a Beamer presentation, along with their German colleagues’ illustrated views of this year’s Guest of Honour.
Children’s Literature from Norway (Friday, 18 October 2019, 12 – 12.30 pm, Frankfurt Kids – Stage 3.0, Hall 3.0 K137)
Norway’s vibrant children’s and young adult literary scene is diverse, inventive and full of humour. Translator Maike Dörries, Norwegian illustrator Oyvind Torseter and Norwegian author Maja Lunde discuss social aspects of children’s literature, amongst other things. The event will be moderated by Dr Jana Mikota, Deutsche Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur (German Academy for Children’s and Young Adult Literature).
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (German Children’s Literature Award): Announcement of the winner by Federal Minister Dr Franziska Giffey (Friday, 18 October 2019, 5.30 – 7 pm, Congress Center, Level 2, Saal Harmonie)
Awards will be presented to the winner of the critics’ jury and the youth jury’s prize-winning book. In addition, two special prizes for German illustrators will be awarded: the special award for “Complete Works” and the special award for “New Talent”. An entrance ticket is required for admission to the event. Since 1956, the Deutsche Jugendliteraturpreis (German Children’s Literature Award) has been funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Seniors, Women and Youth and awarded by the Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur (Working Group for Young Adult Literature).
The JungeMedienJury (YoungMediaJury) presents: The best novels, comics & mangas, series and games (Saturday, 19 October 2019, 5 – 6.30 pm, Frankfurt Kids – Stage 3.0, Hall 3.0 K137)
“And the winner is…” will be pronounced four times when the JungeMedienJury (YoungMediaJury) of the public library of Frankfurt am Main presents its favourite picks. Over the course of six months, 40 young adults between the ages of 13 and 16 years read and evaluated new titles. In addition to discussions in the group about the best book, most exciting series or most gripping game, there was also a supporting programme for the young critics around their media: a visit to a comics archive, a look behind the scenes of a software developer and meetings with film and literary critics. Following the presentation of the winning titles, there will be a reading by the author and sponsor Jochen Till.
International professional programme in the Frankfurt Kids Stage Foyer (Foyer 5.1/6.1, curated by Mundo Azul, Berlin)
A story from the land of the Sami: Máttaráhkká’s Journey (Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 11 am – noon)
Máttaráhkká’s Journey tells a story from the world of the Sami people of Northern Europe. Norwegian Sami artist Sissel Horndal makes reference to oral traditions handed down over the centuries, but tells and draws the story from a contemporary perspective.
Pecha Kucha – discover new exhibitors at Frankfurt Kids (Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 4 – 5 pm)
Exhibitors at the international collective stand in the Frankfurt Kids Foyer present their programme and products, followed by a happy hour with matchmaking for illustrators, publishers and picturebook lovers!
Happy Hour at Frankfurt Kids (Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 5 – 6.30 pm)
Publishers, illustrators, authors, agents, friends and picturebook lovers: Welcome to the Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 2019 and 100 Outstanding Picturebooks exhibition, hosted by dPictus. See curated picturebooks from around the world and stunning unpublished projects chosen by a jury of 30 leading picturebook publishers. Meet members of the jury and some of the selected artists.
Hosts: Frankfurt Kids/Mariela Nagle (Mundo Azul Berlin), Sam McCullen (dPictus/Picturebook Makers)
Website: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/frankfurt-kids(opens in a new window)
About Frankfurter Buchmesse
Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair – with over 7,500 exhibitors from 109 countries, around 285,000 visitors, over 4,000 events and some 10,000 accredited journalists and bloggers in attendance. It also brings together key players from the fields of education, film, games, STM, academic publishing, and business information. Since 1976, the book fair has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. Frankfurter Buchmesse organises the participation of German publishers at around 20 international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers & Booksellers Association). https://www.buchmesse.de/en(opens in a new window)
Contacts for the media:
Press & Corporate Communications Frankfurter Buchmesse
Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-138, press@book-fair.com
Kathrin Grün, Head of PR and Communications, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-170, gruen@book-fair.com
> Further press information >https://www.buchmesse.de/en/press/press-releases(opens in a new window)
> Pictures for media use >https://www.buchmesse.de/en/press/press-material(opens in a new window)