The University of Reading is hosting a mini festival titled "The Languages of Children’s Books: Celebrating Translation and Linguistic Diversity." This event is co-organized by the Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing and the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism, in collaboration with Outside in World, and is part of World Kid Lit Month.
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Scheduled for an in-person gathering at the London Road campus, the festival will also provide online access for participants. Registration for in-person attendance has closed, but online registration remains available free of charge. A festival booklet detailing the program and exhibitors is accessible for attendees.
The one-day festival highlights the importance of language in making diverse books accessible to young readers. It aims to showcase efforts from various sectors of the children's book industry—including academics, advocacy organizations, creators, educators, librarians, publishers, and translators—to enhance children's access to stories in translation and promote multilingual storytelling.
Funded by the AHRC Impact Accelerator fund, the Centre for Book Cultures & Publishing, and the Centre for Literacy & Multilingualism, the festival will feature panel discussions, interactive workshops, showcases, and conclude with a book launch and drinks reception, encouraging participation from individuals across different fields.
The program starts at 10 a.m. with coffee and registration, followed by a welcome from Dr. Sophie Heywood and Patricia Billings. Key panels will include discussions on reading for pleasure in a diverse society, industry perspectives on multilingual books, and accessibility in language.
Attendees can also explore various exhibitions, including publishers' stands and interactive displays, such as the Spectacular Translation Machine led by translator Sarah Ardizzone, featuring the French graphic novel *Monstres*.
The festival will culminate with a bilingual book launch for *When You Were a Cloud*, with discussions on translation led by Lawrence Schimel at 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the closing of the festival.