The Languages of Children’s Books: Celebrating Translation and Linguistic Diversity
2026-09-17 10:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London) | University of Reading London Road Campus, United Kingdom
As co-organiser, I am delighted to invite you to a mini-festival on the Languages of Children’s Books, celebrating translation and multilingualism in the UK’s National Year of Reading at the University of Reading. We have assembled an exciting array of speakers and exhibitors from across the children’s publishing and book world, from the Carnegies and libraries, to translation and publishing, education, literature and literacy research and organizations, as well as interactive translation workshops led by Sarah Ardizzone and Anam Zafar using brilliant new graphic novels from French and Arabic.
This event is open to all who are interested in children’s books. Details and registration link below – join us in person or online on 17 September!
The Languages of Children’s Books: Celebrating Translation and Linguistic Diversity
Co-organised by the Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing and Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism at the University of Reading, in partnership with Outside in World as part of World Kid Lit month.
Languages are a central part of bringing diverse books to readers, and ensuring those stories speak to them. This one-day festival celebrates the work taking place across different sectors of the of the children’s book world (academics, advocacy organisations, creators, educators, librarians, publishers, translators) to promote children’s access to stories in translation, multilingual storytelling and linguistic diversity in their books. As part of the National Year of Reading in the UK, we believe it is important to showcase the many ways in which the languages of their books can inspire young people to get reading.
The mini festival will be structured around panel discussions, interactive workshops, showcases and exhibitions, and close with a book launch and drinks reception. It is intended to bring together people from a variety of fields and backgrounds who are interested in children’s books and languages (broadly interpreted).
Thursday September 17th, 10am-5pm UK time. For the full programme and details please click here. To register for this event please click here.
This event will be held in person on the London Road campus of the University of Reading, with all panel sessions and lightning talks offered for online participants. Please note: for standard delegates, we will charge £10 to cover a sandwich lunch, and morning & afternoon refreshments. Students and unwaged can attend free of charge. Online attendance is also free of charge.
This event has been generously funded by the AHRC Impact Accelerator fund, the Centre for Book Cultures & Publishing and the Centre for Literacy & Multilingualism.
