IBBY is an non-profit organization that was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. Today, it is composed of 85 Sections all over the world. It represents both countries with well-developed book publishing and literacy programmes
and countries with only a few dedicated professionals who are doing pioneer work in children's book publishing and promotion.
In social situations I am often asked about IBBY. It is difficult to know how much detail to explain and exactly what to say and an even bigger puzzle, which I cannot answer in this post, is whether I should try to entice the questioner into joining IBBY Australia. But first I will focus on the bigger international picture by starting point with the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund:
IBBY also compile and maintain several very important book lists and collections -
Silent Books (wordless); International Honour Books; Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities (
Australian list is here); Children's Books from and about Palestine; Books to support the Sustainable Development Goals; and IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.
I recently read a fabulous interview between the US IBBY president Susan Polos and Betsy Bird. I am going to quote large chunks of it here.
Betsy: The other day a librarian colleague of mine reached out to me. They found that after years of doing their job they found themselves in a bit of a slump. They were hoping to find new outlets of interest in the world of children’s literature to pursue. At the same time I was also meeting with a newly minted children’s librarian, fresh out of library school. For her, she was looking for ways to advance her career. Or, maybe, just keep in touch with the wider world of children’s books out there.
Enter the USBBY. And it’s not a new organization, not by any means. But to get at its origins you need to look at another organization first. In 1953 The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) was founded, based on the vision of its creator, Jella Lepman. IBBY´s mission is to promote international understanding through children’s books. And USBBY is the U.S. national section of IBBY.
All well and good, but what’s the organization do? And what’s the advantage to joining? To answer that, we’re talking today to the President of USBBY, Susan Polos. After all, there’s no better way to get some answers than to start asking some questions.
For folks unfamiliar with the organization, can you tell us a little bit about what it is and what it does?
Susan: The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) is the United States’ section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). As such, it works with 84 other sections to promote increased international understanding through sharing outstanding books for children and young adults.
What, would you say, are the benefits of seeing books for children from all over the world?
Susan: Reading books from other countries and cultures broadens children’s awareness of the world and their place in a global society.
If a person is interested in learning more about books for kids from other countries, what’s the best way that they can begin their education? Where should they be looking? What would you recommend that they read?
Susan: Read works by recipients of the Hans Christian Andersen Award to understand global narrative and artistic traditions. Consult curated reading lists such as IBBY Honour Lists. Explore catalogs from independent presses specializing in translated and international children’s literature. Engage with academic journals, conferences, and university coursework focused on comparative children’s literature. Develop critical awareness of translation, cultural context, and representation when selecting and sharing international texts. And note how illustrations are often so distinctly different from what we are used seeing.
Use global awards/international lists as entry points, not endpoints, asking why certain books are recognized and others are not. When you read books from other countries, pay attention to how you feel after reading these books. Sometimes the plot in books from non-Western countries are not in the order of “starting point-climax of the story-ending” because there are many other types of storytelling such as circular narratives, nested stories, etc.
And if a person were interested in joining USBBY (or IBBY or IBBY Australia), what could they expect?
Susan: There is an IBBY Congress in Ottawa with the theme “Listening to Each Other’s Voices” this August (2026). ... Whenever you do anything with IBBY or USBBY, you can be assured that you will be surrounded by some of the most wonderful people in publishing and education you will ever know. You can expect to grow and learn and be very glad you joined!
In these terrible times, we look for hope. ... USBBY (and IBBY) will continue to be engaged in uplifting stories that represent many different cultures and that speak to and celebrate diversity within cultural groups. Jella Lepman, a founder of IBBY, believed that books for children could help heal the world after the atrocities of WWII. We need healing now, don’t we? I agree with you that people who love children’s books are some of the kindest and most open-minded people. ... International children’s books (are) as USBBY’s mission declares, they are a bridge to understanding. Thank you!
Back to IBBY Australia - celebrating 60 years in 2026:
IBBY Australia, was established in 1966 and Ena Noël, OAM became its first president remaining in this role for over 20 years. Australia has twice hosted International Children’s Book Day the annual international celebration on behalf of IBBY. The first time was in 1978, when Colin Thiele wrote the message and Robert Ingpen illustrated the poster with a picture from Storm Boy supported by a grant from the Literature Board. The second time was in 1988, when Patricia Wrightson wrote the message The Magic Carpet, and Robert Ingpen again illustrated the poster with an image from The Idle Bear with support from the Bicentennial Authority.
IBBY Australia nominates Australian children’s authors and illustrators for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Awards. The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books. The award is made to a living author and illustrator whose body of work has made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. In 1986, both Hans Christian Andersen Awards were won by Australians: Patricia Wrightson for writing and Robert Ingpen for illustration. Our 2026 nominees were Bruce Whatley (illustration) and Emily Rodda (writing).
Purpose and goals:
- To promote international understanding through children’s books
- To give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to books with high literary and artistic standards
- To encourage the publication and distribution of quality children’s books, including those in their own languages (eg the Indigenous languages across Australia)
- To provide support and training for those involved with children and children’s literature
- To stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of children’s literature
I highly recommend these two books about the founder of IBBY Jella Lepman. Click the link below each book to read more about this feisty, determined woman who had a wonderful vision for a better world.
