I kindof think every month is picture book month, but I’m happy to see picture books honored in November. 
I do believe in the picture book as an art form and in picture books for older readers. I just made a booklist of picture books biographies. Recently a group of children’s authors published a wonderful manifesto in defense of the picture book: Proclamation! Long live picture books!
There has also been a call from IBBY and IFLA to participate in a picture book survey:
We ask you to take a few minutes to jot down the top five (5) children’s picture book titles that you enjoy sharing with children and that have been created and published in the United States.
After all titles have been submitted, we will rank order the nominations and submit the United States’ top ten list to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee. Act soon! The survey closes in about two weeks.
Aim of the Project: To create a list of picture books from around the world that have been selected and recommended by librarians. These can then be used:
- As a way of celebrating and promoting the language, culture and quality of children’s book publishing from each country
- By countries wishing to purchase books from other countries and are looking for ‘favorite’ titles to help build and develop their collections
- By “Sister Libraries” as a way of exploring the children’s literature of their ”Sister Library” countryhttp://www.ifla.org/en/news/videos-by-sister-libraries
- As an opportunity to encourage interaction and growth within IFLA
- To develop the list into an exhibition with supporting catalogue that can be exhibited at the IBBY and IFLA conferences in 2012
CRITERIA: THE BOOKS SHOULD
- have been published first in the United States
- have been written originally in English
- be in print (and therefore available for purchase)
- be excellent for reading aloud to and with children
- be suitable for any age between 0 – 11 years
- have or will last the test of time
- represent the best in picture books of the United States
- be of good quality and a high standard of publishing
- have text and illustrations that work well together
- reflect a positive message
START THE SURVEY HERE: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRF23LP
Many thanks!
Linda M. Pavonetti, IBBY Vice President and ALSC Representation to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee
Barbara Genco, ALA Representation to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee
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Since I’m currently deep into a research project on international books, this survey is definitely of interest to me. It will more valuable if more people participate, so I hope you will take the time to share your thoughts. I look forward to seeing the results and hopefully learning about new books from other countries.
