The non-governmental Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature, in cooperation with Iran Book House, both based in Tehran, is organizing a round table on the promotion of book reading among children.
The meeting on November 9 will be addressed by children’s literature researcher and author Zohreh Qaeni from Iran, author and journalist Marianne von Baumgarten Lindberg from Sweden and illustrator Marit Tornqvist from the Netherlands.
‘Reading Promotion in the World: Experiences from Sweden, the Netherlands and Iran’ is the theme of the meeting, which will be held at Saraye Ahl-Qalam (House of Literati), affiliated to Iran Book House, according to Ketabak website (ketabak.org).
The speakers will share their experience in promoting book reading among children.
Qaeni, 62, a member of Iran’s Children’s Book Council (CBC), is also a translator and researcher at the Institute for Research on History of Children’s Literature. She received the 2006 International Sponsorship Grant from the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) for her paper, ‘A Historical Approach to the Concept of Childhood and Modern Children’s Literature in Iran.’
ChLA is a non-profit US-based association of scholars, critics, professors, students, librarians, teachers and institutions dedicated to the academic study of literature for children.
All About Children’s Books
Children’s book expert Baumgarten, 76, is the founder, editor and director of Sweden’s Children’s Book Club established in 1977.
Baumgarten has authored and co-authored a number of Swedish children’s books, and established a children’s bookstore in 1978.
She has also been an editor and partner at ‘All About Books’, a book company specializing in distribution of children’s books and collections to literacy programs in the US. Baumgarten was winner of the 1985 Gulliver Prize, a Swedish award in children’s literature.
Tornqvist, 51, is a Swedish children’s book illustrator and writer based in the Netherlands. Her unique style in illustration has impressed children and adults alike. Her first book ‘A Short Story About Love’ was published in 1995 and won the Zilveren Griffel, one of the most important literary prizes for Dutch literature.
Her illustrations are often described as impressive and timeless, technically astonishing, colorful and full of emotion, and she is sensitive to what goes on in the minds of young children.
The two-hour event is from 4pm to 6 pm. The venue is at No. 2, Khaje Nassir Alley, south Mozaffar Brothers Street, Enqelab Avenue.
The Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature started its activities in 1997. Their library collection is growing and the institute has a 45-member staff that includes researchers, research assistants, librarians, bibliographers, biographers besides a publishing team. The staff works not only in Tehran, but also conducts research in Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Mashhad, Yazd, and Qom.
