China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair

The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair takes place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre (“CCBF 2018”). This year’s fair was on November 9-11th.  The fair focuses on books targeted for ages 0-16 specifically in Asia Pacific. The first fair was held in 2013, so this year was the 6thannual. The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair was organized by Shanghai Press & Publication Administration, China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd., and China Universal Press & Publication Co., Ltd (“CCBF 2018”). The CCBF (China Children’s Book Fair) typically has around 300 different exhibitors, and this year, over 33,796 people participated in the fair (“CCBF 2018”). The fair is made up of events to promote reading, seminars, and award ceremonies. This year, CCBF worked with the Bologna Children’s Book fair to help plan and execute the fair helping it to be one of the best yet.

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One of the awards that is given out during the CCBF is the People’s Choice Award of Golden Pinwheel Youth Illustrators Competition. The book that won was Mr. Octopus Sells Umbrellas by Han Xu (China) (“The People’s Choice…Release”). The book is targeted at an audience of children ages 2-4 (“The People’s Choice…Release”). The illustrations help to tell a story about an octopus named Mr. Octopus that sells umbrellas. Different animals using different types of transportation approach Mr. Octopus to by different colored umbrellas (“The People’s Choice…Release”).  I think that this story was a good novel to be recognized because it incorporates many different learning aspects into one story. By using different colored umbrellas, animals, and vehicles, children are able to learn about all of these things in one book. Many other stories and authors were recognized during the CCBF.

Many people were pleased with the turnout and events at the CCBF. Sun Zhu, the Party Secretary and President of China Children’s Press and Publication Group, positively commented, “Thanks to CCBF for the invitation. I sincerely hope that CCBF will become an even better platform in the future to promote the children’s book copyright trade and cultural communication, leading China’s original children’s books to enter the center of the world stage (Thanks for…in November 2019!”).” I think that this demonstrates the good that books fairs like the CCBF can do for children’s literature. Through constant promotion and discussion, children’s literature can become a focal point of many cultures throughout the world. If more parts of the world begin to have book fairs, there could be a world fair that causes different countries to be exposed to each other’s literature. I hope to see continued success for the CCBF.


Sources:

“CCBF 2018.” CCBookFair, BolognaFiere China Ltd., www.ccbookfair.com/en/index/ccbf/ccbf2018.

“Thanks for Being with Us in CCBF 2018 & See You in November 2019!” CCBookFair, BolognaFiere China Ltd., 20 Nov. 2018, ccbookfair.com/en/index/news-center/news/detail!2018CCBFclosed-seeyounextyear.

“The People’s Choice Award of Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition Release.” CCBookFair, BolognaFiere China Ltd., 12 Nov. 2018, ccbookfair.com/en/index/news-center/news/detail!2018GPpeoplechoiceaward.