By Claire Stuckey, Children’s Librarian retired, Central Coast Council – Gosford, Australia

With this programme the Libraries for Children & Young Adults Section is celebrating and promoting the language, culture and quality of children’s book publishing from over 50 countries. In 2021 the Section’s WTPB working group started preparations for an updated 3rd edition. Every country is welcome to submit their top ten picture books based on the criteria developed by the Libraries for C&YA Section.

To organize a country committee and communicate effectively with our section each country needs a coordinator. This is an important role forming your country’s committee of professional librarians to develop and detail the list.

This role is also a wonderful opportunity for professional development and to form new regional and international networks. Your committee will identify relevant professional organisations, libraries and networks that would assist in contributing titles for the list.

Your committee then collects and reviews these titles to match the criterion to select the most relevant.  There is a simple process of submitting the titles online which requires a review of each title in both English and your home language. All publishing details are required. As coordinator it will be a great opportunity to promote your country’s selection after the publication is released.

As the Australian coordinator of the 2nd edition, I was thrilled to once again be representing my country for this international IFLA programme and the 3rd edition.

The experience enhanced my professional knowledge, working with a new team outside my workplace and my own region expanded my professional networks leading to further opportunities. The selection process gave our Australian committee a greater understanding of the amazing depth, artistic and educational value of picture books to families and professionals.

Please consider representing your country and share this amazing experience.

For Information and Criteria sheets and the Country Coordinators form in several languages please see the WTPB project page. 

For any enquires please email: 

Claire Stuckey: clairestuckeyWTPB@gmail.com  (countries beginning with letter A to J)

Annie Everall:   annieeverallWTPB@alannie.co.uk (countries beginning with letter K to Z)