April 21, 2024

Akahata ‘current’ column

The recognition that books have the power to bring people hope and joy is common to all lands. The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an international network of people committed to bringing books and children together, was founded to give courage to children living in Germany’s impoverished post-war society.

IBBY, together with its 84 national and regional members, is working to develop international understanding through children’s books. The IBBY-affiliated Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY), was established 50 years ago. As part of JBBY activities, an event exhibiting children’s books published around the world is taking place in Tokyo’s Kanda district.

Among the exhibited books, there is a picture book titled, "The Butterfly of Nazareth (Farashat al Nasera in Arabic)". It is a Palestinian book telling the story of a girl dreaming that she is playing in a beautifully-colored town. Hans Christian Anderson Award winner and South Korean illustrator Suzy Lee’s book titled, “This Beautiful Day”, provides a vibrant story of children full of joy even on a rainy day.

JBBY head Uno Kazumi said that even now, wars and conflicts in which children are victimized continue to occur in the world, and expressed her hope for a better future for all by saying, “To increase international understanding through books produced in different countries and regions will help children nurture a broadened perspective and a spirit of tolerance, which will contribute to creating a peaceful world in the future.”