Illustrated books: endangered?

Although you wouldn't know it from last year's strong showing by designers and publishers of illustrated books at the Alcuin Society's Book Design Awards, according to this article from The Book Standard, it seems that illustrated children's books might be on their way to becoming an endangered species.

It is no secret that today's picture book market presents one of the most challenging areas in children's sales. While the international co-editions market is enjoying something of a revival, the home market tells a different story. Away from the bestseller lists, the climate for picture books on the high street is best described as "challenging".

Whatever the case, expect to see several interesting entries in the Children's category at the upcoming Book Design Awards.

Alcuin Society AGM & Book Design Awards Presentations...

Monday, June 12, 2006
Alcuin Society Annual General Meeting
24th Annual Awards on Display

Presentation of Annual Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada to publishers of winning books followed by a short business meeting.

Place: The University Golf Club
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia

Time: 6:30 pm (for 7pm dinner)

For tickets and more information contact info@alcuinsociety.com

Canadian books recognized at Leipzig competition...

Frankfurt, Germany - The Stiftung Buchkunst, based in Frankfurt, Germany, and curators of the international exhibition "Best Book Design From All Over the World" at the Frankfurt and Leipzig Book Fairs, selected the 2005 award-winners in an international competition in Leipzig in February, 2006. Those awards were presented at the Leipzig Book Fair on March 17, 2006.

The Stiftung has just released their short list of competitors for the awards. Of 634 books submitted by 34 countries, 66 titles were shortlisted, and 14 prizes selected. Four Canadian designers were honoured to be among those shortlisted:

Michael Torosian, designer of Dave Heath : Korea by Michael Torosian (Lumiere Press)

Anne Tremblay, designer of Le Visuel Dictionnaire Thématique: Définitions, by Jean-Claude Corbeil and Ariane Archambault (Québéc Amérique, Montréal)

Tim Inkster and Paul Hodgson, designers of Looking for Snails on a Sunday Afternoon by Rudolf Kurz (The Porcupine's Quill).

The 26 Canadian books on exhibit, which were participants in the international competition, were submitted by The Alcuin Society to the Stiftung. These books were the winners of the 2004 Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada, held in April, 2005. This entire collection has now been donated to the German Book and Type Museum in Leipzig, where it will be available for consultation and exhibitions. The 36 winners of this year's Alcuin Society competition have been forwarded to the Stiftung and are now entered in next year's international competition.

For more information, please contact Leah Gordon, Alcuin Society Design Competition Committee Chair, awards@alcuinsociety.com.