Kids Conference

This year's Frankfurt Kids Conference is all about "Children’s Books in a Fragile World", featuring Axel Scheffler as a keynote speaker.

We live in a fragile world. Illiteracy is on the rise as are attacks against children's books and their creators or publishers. Different actors from across the book sector will discuss how they are making sure that no child is left behind in this fragile world and how they are fighting back against some of the many different forces trying to censor or restrict children having access to a diverse range of books that reflect the world they live in, with takeaways that can possibly be adapted or used in other contexts, countries, and languages.

Educating (and entertaining) future generations remains more important than ever, which is why Frankfurt Calling continues to shine a spotlight on children's books, following and building upon last year's conference focused on responsibility.

This year’s conference—once again be moderated by Lawrence Schimel—will feature a keynote by renowned illustrator Axel Scheffler and two panel discussions with experts and publishing professionals such as Jon Yaged, Chief Executive Officer of Macmillan Publishers and the Ukrainian writer, translator and editor Kateryna Mikhalitsyna.

The event will take place from on Wednesday, 15 October 4.00 till 6.30 pm at Centre Stage Hall 4.1/B 68, followed by a networking reception. Admission included with exhibitor and trade visitor ticket.

Keynote

16:00 Axel Scheffler

Sessions

16:30-17:30 Canary in the Coal Mine

Attacks against children's books and their creators or publishers are often a first indicator as governments move from democracies to autocracies. Different actors from across the book sector will discuss how publishers are fighting back against book bans and other threats and what publishers and institutions can do. Featuring some case examples of publishers whose very freedom has been endangered by bravely publishing books for children that represent the diverse and plural world we live in.

Moderator: Lawrence Schimel,

Participants: Jon Yaged, Kateryna Mikalitsyna , Sherif Bakr

17:30-18:30 Light in the Darkness

This panel will focus on making sure that no child is left behind in this fragile world as well as on some of the ways diverse sectors are fighting back against some of the many different forces trying to censor or restrict children having access to a diverse range of books that reflect the world they live in. It will provide takeaways that can possibly be adapted or used in other contexts, countries, and languages.

Moderator: Lawrence Schimel

Participants: Constanza Mekis Martinez, Tereza Horváthóva

18:30  Uhr: Networking reception