Become what you want to be/ Worden wat je wil! With such an appeal, we couldn't help but join in this year's Kinderboekenweek - Children's Book Week.
The fourth year we have embarked on this adventure together!
And because the restrictions have been relaxed, but not everywhere and not for everyone, we have chosen to stay online this time. We celebrated Children's Book Week with Romanian authors, illustrators, books and publishers that deserve to be in every child's library.
Over 1500 people took part live in our meetings and we received over 30 questions from participants. On some evenings we also had a number of young participants who connected with us live and shared their thoughts and stories.
We met in 5 magical evenings, LIVE on Facebook, on the Dutch Romanian Library page (BiebRO for friends!), with authors, illustrators, publishers and librarians eager to make the little ones (and older ones) friends with books.
MONDAY, 11 OctoberI had Alex Moldovan as my guest. The author of the children's novels "Olguța and a Grandfather of Millions", "Olguța and Operation Jaguars", and the children's book "The Little Boy Who Could Bite His Nose", Alex is a skilled wordsmith, writing books that children want to read.
TUESDAY, 12 October, we met the illustrator Diana Tivu, who gave a new life to Caragiale's characters in "Moments and Sketches", but also a new touch of colour to the protagonists of Romanian fairy tales. Among the titles she has collaborated on are "Romanian Fairy Tales and Stories", "Human Stupidity" adapted from Ion Creanga, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, and "The Tale of the Three Witches" by Simona Epure.
For the first time ever (for us and for Diana!) the interview took place while Diana worked live on a drawing of a bramble. It was a great opportunity for kids (and beyond!) to see what it's like to be an illustrator when you grow up!
WEDNESDAY, 13 October, we caught up with translator Iulia Dromereschi!
BiebRO Children's Book Club participants will surely remember Iulia, one of the March guests at Storyteller's Month. She read to us then from The Great Guide to Good Manners, a book she translated from Dutch.
We talked about the book, what it's like to translate other authors' words, favourite reads, book clubs, literary recommendations and other interesting projects Iulia contributes to. And of course, we found out what Iulia wanted to become when she was a child!
THURSDAY, 14 October, it was book club night. This time Ioana Chicet-Macoveiciuc will come to read us a story.
Many of you know her as the author of the Urban Princess blog, but Ioana is also a beloved writer for both adults and children.
Ioana read us the book she wrote "The Best Ice Cream in the World" which we already have included in the BiebRO collection, but which is also very appropriate for the Kinderboekenweek theme: the Children's Book Week: "Become what you want to be!"
During this interview, we also found out which is Joan's favourite ice cream: lime and vanilla, and what she wanted to become when she was a child: a news anchor!
FRIDAY, 15 OctoberThe last day of Kinderboekenweek: Children's Book Week 4th edition was dedicated to superheroes bringing books close to children. And who strive to bring the little ones closer to reading. Or to help parents bring their children closer to books.
We had two fantastic ladies as guests who have broken through cultural and social barriers, and thought up projects to bring books closer to children. Closer to all children!
We are very happy to have Bianca Voinescu, the coordinator of the Fanbook project, and Brandi Anderson Bates, the initiator of the Reading Together Romania community Reading Together Romania, with us.
Brandi Anderson Bates, originally from the USA but currently living in Romania, is the founder of Read Together Romania and initiator of ZICI (International Read Together Day). And Bianca Voinescu is the founder of the Fanbook project, one of the largest initiatives to promote reading in villages and communes in Romania.
5 evenings, 6 guests and lots of stories about people big and small on their way to becoming what they want to be! This was the summary of the event: Kinderboekenweek: Children's Book Week 4th edition. We are looking forward to the 5th edition!
