The year 2008 marked a significant moment in the international recognition of Polish children’s literature, when Tuwim. Poems for Children, illustrated by Marta Ignerska, Monika Hanulak, Anna Niemierko and others, received theBologna Ragazzi Award (Poetry category).

Over the past two decades, Poland has witnessed a remarkable surge in picturebook artistry, marked by visual experimentation, innovative narrative strategies, and engagement with diverse social and cultural themes. Polish authors, illustrators, and publishers have gained growing international visibility and recognition, establishing their works as significant contributions to contemporary children’s literature. This special issue aims to provide critical perspectives on these developments, highlighting selected titles, illustrators, and authors, and situate Polish picturebooks within broader comparative frameworks, examining their dialogue with European and global picturebook traditions.
This special issue seeks to offer critical perspectives on these developments. We envision a multifaceted issue featuring scholarly articles by Polish and international scholars, alongside interviews with leading Polish authors and illustrators, and non-peer reviewed contributions, fostering a rich discussion that bridges national and transnational contexts.
By offering both historical insight and contemporary analysis, this issue will illuminate the evolution, innovation, and cultural significance of Polish picturebooks over the past two decades.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Innovations in visual storytelling, illustration, and book design in Polish picturebooks (2008-2026)
  • Representations of memory, migration, ecology, identity, and social change in Polish picturebooks
  • Critical studies of individual authors, illustrators, or key work
  • The role of translation and foreign editions in international visibility of Polish picturebooks
  • Polish publishers’ strategies within global children’s book markets.

Full papers should be submitted to the editors, Justyna Deszcz-Tryhubczak and Lorraine Kerslake (Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein.). The guest editor of this issue is Anita Wincencjusz-Patyna.

Deadline: 1 June, 2026 Expected publication date: January 2027. Academic articles should not exceed 4,000 words and should include an abstract of 150-
200 words. We also welcome submissions for the “Letters” and “Children and Their Books” sections on the same topics. Please see Bookbird’s website at www.ibby.org/bookbird for submission details.

[Quelle: Pressemitteilung]