IBBY Who What and Why

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:

Go to the webpage and click on each image to read more

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). 

Here is our 2026 IBBY Australia International Children's Book Day Video which celebrates our 60th. 

Take a look at our past Newsletters and read about the prestigious Ena Noel Award.

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. 

Jella Lepman and her library of dreams

The Lady with the Books

Jella Lepman and her Library of Dreams by Katherine Paterson illustrated by Sally Deng

Subtitle: The woman who rescued a generation of children 

and founded the world's largest children's library

I am a member of IBBY Australia and so I am already familiar with the wonderful work of Jella Lepman but I learnt so much more from this new book. 

Dr Robin Morrow AM, past president of IBBY Australia said, in Magpies Volume 40, Sept 2025:

"... this comprehensive but accessible book (112 pages) is a must-have for public libraries and for upper primary and secondary collections, and an excellent resource for students researching influential women. ... The world has changed but the challenges for those who care about children, and good books and the possibilities for peace remain remarkably similar to those of eighty years ago."

The word that shines through most forcibly reading this book is determination. Jella Lepman acted on her vision that the children of Germany, who had lived through the most dreadful circumstances, children who had seen things no one, adult or child, should ever see, that these children needed to see different ways of living, and imagining and interacting and, she knew, that could come from children's books. But there were so many problems in Germany in 1945. She had to convince the authorities (men in the US army); she needed money; she needed books (lots of them hopefully for free); she needed helpers; she needed to maintain her strong voice and vision; she needed a space for her exhibition of books and children's drawings; and later she needed a space to set up a library. For all of this Jella Lepman used her determination. 

I loved the scene where she has to sneak in at night to use a typewriter and then has to invent 'a demanding high raking officer' who has ordered her to work late into the night. 

Because of her work and vision and fierce belief in the power of children's books as a force for good in the world today we have IBBY (The International Board on Books for Young People). Read more here.

I have read right through Jella Lepman and her Library of Dreams twice. There are parts that made me cry. Jella sees a little child in a bombed out city holding a winter flower; Jella follows another little girl who had been begging for treats from US soldiers only to discover older children are using her and taking everything from her begging; Jella is given money for a book mobile but this never eventuates because bureaucrats raise issues of money and staffing; officious men tell her the children will steal the books (this does not happen) and others declare they should not be allowed to touch the books with their dirty hands. I loved the idea of children from all over the world sending paintings to the children in Germany and the way Jella insisted her library should have a space for children to create their own art projects. Imagine attending her conference in 1951:

"But onto her greatest achievement; Jella had been seeking to make peace through children's books since 1949. Perhaps she should gather people from around the world who also gave their lives to children and their books, who might also believe that books could be a bridge for peace. Jella made up a list of people she considered the who's who of children's literature and sent out 60 invitations. Very quickly the acceptances poured in, along with pleas from people who had not received an invitation but who wanted to come."

And did you know that today you can visit her library in Germany - it is in Munich and it is housed in a castle. It is my own dream to one day make a visit to see the now impressive collection of over 600,000 items.

When you pick up this book make sure you look really closely at the cover - there are some famous characters walking alongside the children and then take of the dust jacket (yes I love that this book has a dust jacket) and even better the case reveal shows children having fun with some of those characters from the cover. 

Publisher blurb: Jella Lepman was a woman who stood her ground, challenged convention, and worked fiercely to transform her biggest dreams into reality. In 1945, when Jella was tasked with what seemed like an insurmountable challenge―to create a haven of imagination and joy for the children of a Germany scarred by war—she turned to a steadfast companion: books. As a Jewish woman who had fled from the Nazis, Jella was determined to restore a sense of childhood to the young people who had only known conflict and violence. Despite constant obstacles, Jella persevered, and with the help of publishers and children from around the world, she amassed an extraordinary collection of 4,000 children’s books in pursuit of her mission to promote peace. The roving literary collection would eventually find a home as the International Youth Library in Munich ...

Anyone with a connection to IBBY will want to grab this book with both hands! It is a good price from this online book seller, or you could put in a request your local library might be able to source a copy. I did find this audio book version. You could also read this using Overdrive from your library. 

Jella Lepman established IBBY and the International Youth Library. Here is a quote from her biography:

We are looking for ways to introduce children in Germany to the children's books of other nations. German children have almost no books left after the children's and youth literature of the Hitler era was eliminated. Educators and publishers also need books from the free world for their orientation. Children are not to blame for this war, so let your books be the first messengers of peace! They are to be compiled into an exhibition that will first travel to Germany, and later perhaps to other countries. To overcome foreign language difficulties, we ask above all for picture books and illustrated books. But good narrative literature should also be made accessible to the children in group work. We hope that German publishers will be able to acquire the translation rights to many of these books. We also ask your country for children's drawings and children's paintings. These pictures speak an international language and will delight the children. (Lepman 1964, 51 f.) Read more here - the IBBY Congress in Trieste

One bookseller said this book is perfect for:

• Librarians, educators, and parents seeking engaging history and nonfiction books for kids
• Fans of true stories, biographies, and fascinating facts
• Anyone interested in learning about children’s literature and children's book libraries
• Special occasion or thank you gift for teachers and librarians
• Fans of Katherine Paterson and her award-winning books, including Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, and The Great Gilly Hopkins

White Rabbit books said:

WORLD HISTORY FOR KIDS: This book reflects on the aftermath of WWII and its effect on children in Germany. By Jella Lepman’s inspiring example, readers will learn how working together and being part of a community can help bring peace after war, displacement, and loss.

FASCINATING TRUE STORY: This picture book biography introduces a little-known historical figure who changed the world through children’s books. Anyone who loves history, biographies, or children’s literature will find themselves inspired by the life and work of Jella Lepman.

IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS & LIBRARIES: Featuring inspiring illustrations of global cooperation, crates of international books being shipped to the library, and children in the harshest of conditions finding solace in reading, this book is perfect for celebrating librarians and their positive impact on young lives. It also highlights the ongoing work of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people who are committed to bringing books and children together.

A stirring, singular tribute to a woman well aware of the importance of children’s books in times of trauma and recovery. Kirkus Star review

Dr Robin Morrow mentioned Jella Lepman and her Library of Dreams could benefit from an index - but for my reading I wish there was a timeline - this would be an excellent way to gain an overview of Jella's work. I love these words from the Kirkus review I just quoted: The subject’s dedication, candor, and sheer chutzpah burst off the page.

Companion books:

The Lady with the Books

Katherine Paterson, as a supporter of IBBY and a HCAA winner, is the perfect person to take on creating this wonderful book so that children and adults can have a glimpse into the life and work of this incredible woman. I imagine she would have spent many years completing her research. You can see a list of all the awards given to Katherine Paterson. She is a Life Member of IBBY and a past winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Here are all the US winners of the HCAA:

• 1962 - Meindert DeJong (Author Medal)
• 1970 - Maurice Sendak (Illustrator Medal)
• 1972 - Scott O'Dell (Author Medal)
• 1978 - Paula Fox (Author Medal)
• 1992 - Virginia Hamilton (Author Medal)
• 1998 - Katherine Paterson (Author Medal)
• ​2020 - Jacqueline Woodson (Author Medal)

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