Official Conference and Seminars

CCBF is well-known for its professional seminars covering a wide array of topics. Speakers include experts on publishing, digital marketing, social media, and content creation.

CCBF is well-known for its professional seminars covering a wide array of topics. Speakers include experts on publishing, digital marketing, social media, and content creation. These events aspire to promote communication and cooperation between professionals and share the latest children’s literature industry trends with all attendees.

The 10th China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (CCBF), will be held from 17 to 19 November, 2023 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre. 

Nov 17 2023
10:00 11:15

Official Conference and Seminars

Global Children’s Book Retail Market Analysis: 2023 Trends and Data

Conference Room

As the largest segment within the book market, the dynamics of children’s book market have consistently garnered significant attention. According to OpenBook, during the first half of 2023, Chinese children’s books experienced a notable decline in their share of the total sales price in all book categories, a drop greater than that of the overall market. In recent years, while children’s book sales have witnessed some remarkable success on short-video e-commerce platforms, the pricing inconsistencies in the industry and “discount wars” have had a substantial impact, particularly for publishers who prioritise high-quality publications. The radical change in sales channels is affecting, and in some cases, revolutionising the traditional publishing model from the bottom up. In light of all this, how should the children’s book publishing industry be “regenerated” and revitalised? OpenBook will analyse the situation of Chinese children’s books in the market in the first three quarters of this year through a series of the latest data, providing us with insights and forecasts on the developmental trends and future directions within the children’s book market. Simultaneously, distinguished international publishers from the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the Philippines will convene at a roundtable discussion organised by Elena Pasoli, Director of the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Together, they will enlighten us with their perspectives, broaden our horizons, and unravel the dynamics of their respective book markets. They will delve particularly into the shifts and trends in the children's book market.

Co-organiser: OpenBook

Keynote speech: Chinese Children’s Book Retail Market Analysis
Speaker:
Yang Lei (China), Executive Vice President, OpenBook

Panel Discussion: New Trends in the International Children's Book Market
Moderator:
Elena Pasoli (Italy), Director, Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Speakers:
Katrina Gutierrex(UK), Commissioning Editor, Lantana Publishing
Ekaterina Kashirskaya (Russia), Publisher, A Walk Through History PH
Mauro Spagnol (UK), Director, Books-Everywhere
Hedwige Pasquet (France), Chairman, Gallimard Jeunesse

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

11:30 12:15

Official Conference and Seminars

Award Winners' Series

Each year, CCBF offers a series of special seminars featuring renowned international children’s book authors and illustrators who have received prestigious awards. In these seminars, you will have the opportunity not only to listen to these globally acclaimed creative masters as they share their creative journeys and insights, specially prepared for this year’s book fair, but also to engage in interactive discussions with them.

Mr. Bernardo P. Carvalho is a renowned Portuguese illustrator and editor of children’s books. He studied Communication Design at the College of Fine Arts in Lisbon and furthered his studies in painting at the Portuguese National Association of Fine Arts. His remarkable achievements include receiving the BolognaRagazzi Award at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Portuguese National Illustration Award, the Picture Book Prize of the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (German Youth Literature Award), and an Honorable Mention for the “Best Book Design from all over the World” award at the Leipzig Book Fair, among other honors. Among his works, “Lá fora (Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature)” stands out as his most acclaimed book to date, earning over ten awards and distinctions from all over the world. In China, “Lá fora” won the Wenjin Book Award and was selected as one of the 100 Outstanding Books Recommended by the National Press and Publication Administration of China for the Youth. His books have been translated and published in more than twenty countries and regions, including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, and South Korea.

Mr. Bernardo P. Carvalho also co-founded Planeta Tangerina, a notable publishing house that won the Best European Children’s Publisher at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2013. His portfolio includes several acclaimed nature-themed picture books, such as “Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species” (Top 50 of the 2021 DAPENG Natural Children’s Book Award, 2021 IREAD 100 Children’s Books), “Atlas of Travels and Explorers,” and “The Boy Who Loved Birds.” Each of these books showcases a unique illustration style, as Mr. Bernardo P. Carvalho never sticks to a single style, but constantly tries new things, adds new ideas, and effectively utilizes resources to create more captivating works.

Moderator: 
A Jia (China), Writer, Translator, Researcher and Advocate for Reading Programmes

Keynote speech:
Creative Talk with Bernardo·P. Cavalho
Speaker:
Bernardo·P. Carvalho (Portugal), Illustrator

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

13:00 14:30

Official Conference and Seminars

New Channels of Children’s Book

Conference Room

In recent years, the spotlight in the publishing industry has shifted towards online new channels, presenting new avenues for growth. However, as competition intensifies, the profit margins for publishers in these new channels are limited. Moreover, the performance of publishing organisations in the first half of 2023 fell short of expectations, prompting a widespread industry focus on exploring alternative sales channels such as red and Kuai Tuan Tuan. What opportunities lie ahead for the new channels in children’s book publishing? What explorations have publishing organisations done? And how vast is the potential for these new channels if we dare to dream big? In this conference, key decision-makers and industry leaders responsible for children’s book publishing’s new channels will dissect these opportunities and exploratory efforts. At the same time, China Publishers Magazine will release the “2023 Children’s Book Publishing Industry Report” and unveil a report on the user reachability of children’s book publications.

Co-organized by: China Publishers Magazine

Moderator:
Irene Zhang (China), Chief writer of China Publishers Magazine

Speakers:
Bai Jing (China), President of China Publishers Magzine
Chen Qiankun (China), Head of One Jia matrix, Chongqing reading eye e-commerce Co., Ltd.
Huang huang (China), Vice president of China Publishers Magazine
Pi Ya (China), Head of Culture and Education, E-Commerce Operation, red
Xiang Liping (China), Marketing Director, Dolphin Media Co.,Ltd.
Zhang Li (China), Vice President, Fuzhou Hollo Books Cultural Creative Co., Ltd.

                         

*Event in Chinese only

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

15:00 16:30

Official Conference and Seminars

How to cross language and cultural boundaries?——The Development of Original Chinese Picture Books in Perspective

Conference Room

Co-organized by: Feng Zikai Chinese Children's Picture Book Award

Speaker & Moderator：
Fang Weiping (China), Children's Literature Theorist and Critic

Speakers：
Dong Xingjia (Taiwan, China) , Reycraft Global Senior Consultant
Huang Li (China), Illustrator, General Manager, Xi'an Taiyangwa Design Studio
Tang Yaming (Japan), Editor-in-Chief, Baby Type Picture Book
Tan Fengxia (China), Professor and doctoral supervisor of College of Liberal Arts, Nanjing Normal University
Yeh Chun Liang (France), Publisher of Hongfei Culture, Translater

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese/English

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organiser reserves the right to change the meeting time, theme and guests. The final arrangement is subject to change without notice.

(Speakers are listed in alphabetical order by last name)

Nov 18 2023
09:30 10:30

Official Conference and Seminars

Award Winners' Series

Conference Room

Each year, CCBF offers a series of special seminars featuring renowned international children’s book authors and illustrators who have received prestigious awards. In these seminars, you will have the opportunity not only to listen to these globally acclaimed creative masters as they share their creative journeys and insights, specially prepared for this year’s book fair, but also to engage in interactive discussions with them.

Mr. Zhu Chengliang rose to fame in the world of children’s picture books with his original picture book A New Year’s Reunion, which secured the first Feng Zikai Chinese Children’s Picture Book Award in 2010. Following this, it was recognised as one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books in 2011. Mr. Zhu’s subsequent works, including Flame, Playing with Lanterns, as well as The Gale, which was created in collaboration with Nobel laureate Mr. Mo Yan, have been translated and introduced to more overseas markets. His distinct artistic style has garnered acclaim from children’s book critics, editors, and readers worldwide. In 2019, Mr. Zhu Chengliang won the Golden Apple award at the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) for his book Don’t Let the Sun Fall, and in 2020, he was nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Mr. Lluís Prats, a distinguished Spanish writer, studied Art History and Archaeology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Girona. He has worn multiple hats: he once worked as a primary and secondary school teacher and a film producer in the United States. He is the author of dozens of works, including prose, historical novels, art books, and children’s novels, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. His novel Hachiko, The Dog Who Waited was awarded the Josep Maria Folch i Torres Award for Children’s Literature, one of Barcelona’s most esteemed accolades, even before its official publication in early 2015. In 2016, it was included in the White Ravens catalogue of the International Youth Library in Germany. His new book, Estimate Monster, continues his heartfelt and touching writing style and delves into themes of bullying and friendship that resonate with contemporary children’s lives. It has captured the interest of readers and secured another Josep Maria Folch i Torres Award. After its publication in China, this book quickly rose to the top of various lists, earning a spot among the top ten literary favorites in the “My Favorite Children’s Books” activity organised by the Shenzhen Children’s Library in 2023.

In this conference, Ms. Zhang Hong, a children’s book author and the founder of Magic Reading, will engage in a profound dialogue with these two award-winning creators, Mr. Zhu Chengliang and Mr. Lluís Prats, to delve into the wellsprings of inspiration behind their creations, offering a glimpse into the stories that underlie their masterpieces.

Moderator: 
Zhang Hong (China), Founder, Magic Reading; Writer

Keynote speech:
Creative Talk with Zhu Chengliang
Speaker:
Zhu Chengliang (China), Picture Book Author

Keynote speech:
Creative Talk with Lluís Prats
Speaker:
Lluís Prats (Spain), Author

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

10:45 12:15

Official Conference and Seminars

Fairy Tale Rewritings

Conference Room

Like myths, classic fairy tales have been a wellspring of inspiration and a driving force for many authors and artists. Their wealth of content, extensive reach, and multiple versions grant creators and publishers the liberty to reinterpret, adapt, and even transfigure characters and destinies in response to evolving eras and changing perspectives. In recent years, both domestic and international children’s book publishers have been very enthusiastic about “paying homage” to classic fairy tales. This has led to the publication of numerous works featuring avant-garde narrative imagery and innovative perspectives. In this conference, we have the privilege of inviting publishers, authors, illustrators, and media professionals from both Eastern and Western cultures to share their unique perspectives on the realm of fairy tale rewritings.

Moderator:
Chen Sai (China), Executive Editor, Youth Magazine

Speakers:
Suzanne Carnell (UK), Publisher, Two Hoots (Macmillan)
Li Tong (China), Deputy Director of Book Publishing Center, head of educational book editorial department, China Children's Press & Publication Group Co., Ltd
Victo Ngai (USA/Hong Kong, China), Illustrator
Tang Tang (China), Children’s literature writer, professor of Humanities of Zhejiang Normal University, vice chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Writers Association
Zhang Nan (China), Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Beijing Cheerful Century Co., Ltd.

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

13:00 14:30

Official Conference and Seminars

Beauty and the World: Interpretation and Appreciation of Non-Fiction Children’s Picture Book

Conference Room

This year, the theme of the Children Plus exhibition is “non-fiction picture book.” The CCBF organizers will bring the special exhibition “Beauty and the World,” which will be held in conjunction with the 2023 Bologna Children’s Book Fair, to the CCBF venue. This conference provides an ideal platform to engage in discussions and exchanges with curators, picture book researchers, internationally acclaimed illustrators, and publishers of renowned children’s science book brands. Together, we will delve into the diverse and innovative approaches that non-fiction picture books employ to explore and present this “beautiful world”.

Moderator:
Chen Hui (China), Chinese Language and Literature Professor; Director, Research Centre on Picture Books, Beijing Normal University

Speakers:
Bernardo P. Carvalho (Portugal), Illustrator
Giorgia Grilli (Italy), Associate Professor of Children’s Literature, University of Bologna
Karolina Makieła (Polish), International Cooperation Specialist, Polish Book Institute
Hedwige Pasquet (France), CEO, Gallimard Jeunesse
Tang Ling (China), Deputy Chief Editor, Jieli Publishing House; President, Baby and Child Branch
Wang Hui (China), Deputy Chief Editor, Juvenile & Children's Publishing 100000 Whys branch

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

15:00 16:30

Official Conference and Seminars

Make the story more appealing to read——Present Status and Tendency of Comics & Graphic Novels

Conference Room

Children’s comics and graphic novels have been at the center of the European and American children’s book market in recent years. Chinese readers are also more and more willing to embrace and enjoy comics and graphic novels. Over the last couple of years, children’s comics have been claiming more and more positions on bestseller lists. At this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the original work “Whose Sock?” won the BolognaRagazzi Award in the comics for early readers category. This achievement underscores the growing significance of this relatively new form of children’s book creation. Good comics offer more than just entertainment. They provide a unique form of artistic image narrative. They have the ability to break down the barriers between words and illustrations and construct complex, multi-dimensional space-time narratives. They immerse readers in a reading experience that resembles the richness and depth of a theater performance, a movie, or an animation. In this conference, publishers and artists of comics from all over the world will use popular comics as examples to usher us into a “visual feast” of children’s comics and graphic novels.

Moderator:
Dong Yan (China), General Manager, Dargaud Group (Shanghai) Co., Ltd

Speakers:
Cameron Chase (USA), Foreign Rights Manager, HarperCollins
Anne Dufour (France), Foreign Rights Manager, Albin Michel
Dong Yan (China), General Manager, Dargaud Group (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Sun Jun (China), Illustrator, Picture Book Author
Wang Feifei (China), Deputy General Manager of CITIC Children Group, Head of the International Picture Book Office

*Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English.

Tips:
The Official Conference Programme is open to all onsite Professional Visitors provided with a Programme Pass. Exhibitors/VIPs/Media Passes include free access to all official events.
The organisers reserves the right to adjust the meeting time, theme and speakers without notice if the circumstances so require.

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