Where the Wild Books Are

A year ago, noted children’s book specialist Betsy Bird reported on the School Library Journal's blog that many U.S. publishers and librarians were opposed to buying or republishing picture books first issued overseas. American publishers, Bird said, rejected non-U.S. works as culturally inscrutable or inappropriate for American audiences-a controversial opinion that stems the flow of imaginative, beautiful, and sometimes provocative work into our country today. 

Where the Wild Books Are was conceived by artist Etienne Delessert, who along with author/illustrator and Parsons faculty Steven Guarnaccia will present the eventas a creative response to explore cultural trends and changes in the field of global publishing and their impact on the cultural literacy and the imaginative capacities of the next generation. 

Join critics, authors, illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators from Europe, the United States, and beyond as they introduce audience members to a diverse array of important picture books published in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Japan. Take part in a lively exchange on the ethical, commercial, and aesthetic dimensions of the evolving global publishing scene. 

Historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus will give the keynote address, which is followed by presentations, a panel discussion among influential industry insiders, and a reception.