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Home » Children’s program » International Children’s Book Festival » International Children’s Book Festival 2024

International Children’s Book Festival 2024

3rd International Children’s Book Festival

My Book is My Castle – Home in Stories, Home in Books

October 11 – October 20, 2024

Children love stories. The International Children’s Book Festival wants to celebrate and promote this! The goal is to bring children of different nationalities together and to make it possible to experience that books and stories can help us to create a home wherever we are. They can be a tent that we pitch wherever we go!

The International Children’s Book Festival pitches many tents – for children from Heidelberg and the region and for children from all over the world. A great celebration of the magic of language, of pictures and illustrations, of the great poets who came before us – and of wonder at our world!
There will be readings in several languages, book parties, writing workshops and much more for children of different ages – welcome to the realm of words!

This year you can look forward to star guests such as Margit Auer, Lucy Hawking, Mehrdad Zaeri and highlights such as the Harry Potter Book Day, the Day of Illusions and much more!

Here you can find a program overview: 

  • Day 1 – Friday, October 11th
  • Day 2 – Saturday, October 12th
  • Day 3 – Sunday, October 13th
  • Day 4 – Monday, October 14th
  • Day 5 – Tuesday, October 15th
  • Day 6 – Wednesday, October 16th
  • Day 7 – Thursday, October 17th
  • Day 8 – Friday, October 18th
  • Day 9 – Saturday, October 19th
  • Day 10 – Sunday, October 20th


Day 1 – Friday, October 11th

 

10 am & 3 pm – Mehrdad Zaeri and Christina Laube: Anna. What time does not heal

A graphic novel about growing up during war

Mehrdad Zaeri and Christina Laube use pictures and (few) words to tell the story of a girl who lost everything in the Second World War. Decades later, this girl asked the artist duo to create a memorial to her former friend Anna. Based on her true story, this book is intended to be a place for all those who have no place for their grief.

Notice:
The workshop discussion can be booked for school classes at 10 am and for the interested public at 3 pm.

Language: German
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: from 12 years / 7th grade

Registration for school classes (10 am): ies@dai-heidelberg.de

More information and tickets for the afternoon event (3 pm)


Day 2 – Saturday, October 12th

11:00 am – Quantum Physics for Babies

Parents and toddlers are invited to get together for a simple story and songs as well as small activities.

Toddler Time, Get-together
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: English
Duration: 30 minutes, but parents and kids are welcome to hang out longer.
Age recommendation: 1 – 3 years


4 pm – Margit Auer: The School of Magical Animals

Margit Auer has the latest volume of her popular series The School of Magical Animals in her luggage for her appearance at the DAI, and of course there will also be a medley from the previous stories. – With Q&A and book signing!

Book presentation, reading
Language: German
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Age recommendation:  6 – 14 years
Info & Tickets


Day 3 – Sunday, October 13th

11 am – Eric Carle Collage-Workshop

Every child is familiar with Eric Carle’s books about the Nimmersatt caterpillar. There are also many other original characters created by Carle. In this workshop, we will be inspired by his books and get creative together!

Workshop
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: international
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Cost: 5 €
Age recommendation: from 5 years


3 pm – Martin Bärenz: The clown said no

The Clown Said No is a parable about identity, self-determination, initiative and overcoming crises.

Heidelberg composer Martin Bärenz has turned the picture book into a libretto and set it to music – for a circus band with clarinet, trumpet, trombone, double bass, piano and percussion of course! As in all his family concert pieces, Bärenz has also composed a sing-along song for this story, which the audience can easily learn and sing along to. The narrator is the singer and actress Ilona Schulz.

Children’s opera
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Age recommendation: from 5 years
Info & Tickets


Day 4 – Monday, October 14th

Offer for school classes:
9 am – Silke Lambeck: My friend Otto

Matti and Otto – a big city children’s story about boys in love, haphazard parents and tough girls. About Hotte Zimmermann, Bruda Berlin and the twins of horror. About big secrets. And big feelings.

Reading
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: from 9 years


Day 5 – Tuesday, October 15th

Offer for school classes:
9 am – Julya Rabinowich: The smell of soot and roses
After the war ends, Madina returns to her homeland not only to say goodbye to her old life, but also to finally get an answer to the nagging question of her father’s whereabouts. On her journey, she realizes that she must follow her dreams and relinquish responsibility for her family.

Reading
Registration:
ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: from class 8

Note: Anyone interested can also take part outside the school program.
Info & Tickets


3 pm – Italian Festivita

Today it’s all about Italy! Let’s do crafts together and learn how to deal creatively with unexpected situations and new beginnings with the story “Il filiambulante” by Frederica Ortolan and Marco Leoni.

Story time with crafts and an Italian picnic
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language:
German, Italian
Duration:
approx. 2 hours
Age recommendation: 5 – 8 years


Day 6 – Wednesday, October 16th

Offer for school classes:
9 am – Alexandra Prischedko: What are you doing there?

During a visit to the zoo, little Sophie discovers animals everywhere. But aren’t those two pandas sitting at the table in the café? In Prischedko’s picture book, we encounter exotic animals such as flamingos, alpacas and the like – all in unusual places. An invitation to discover!

Book presentation and art workshop
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: Class 1 – 4


4 pm – Alexandra Prischedko: What are you doing there?

During a visit to the zoo, little Sophie discovers animals everywhere. But aren’t those two pandas sitting at the table in the café? In Prischedko’s picture book, we encounter exotic animals such as flamingos, alpacas and the like – all in unusual places. An invitation to discover!

Book presentation and art workshop
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: Class 1 – 4


Day 7 – Thursday, October 17th

 

Offer for school classes:
11 am – Craig Thompson: Ginseng Roots

In the graphic novel Ginseng Roots, Craig Thompson tells of class differences, personal experiences and the strong bond between unequal siblings who have to help out on their parents’ farm. Thompson also sheds light on topics such as agriculture, factory farming and, of course, ginseng.

Book presentation and art workshop
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language:
English
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: from 15 years / from class 10


4 pm – Harry Potter Book Day

This year, Harry Potter Book Day is all about the “Care of Magical Creatures”. Unicorns, the Niffler, the cuddly muff or the phoenix – there is a lot to discover. We celebrate the day with a reading, quiz and party – please dress up!

Family program
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language:
German, English
Duration:
approx. 2 hours
Age recommendation: 5 – 12 years
Info & Registration


Day 8 – Friday, October 18th

9 am & 3 pm – Lena Zeise: Day of the animals – How the cat came to us

Illustrator Lena Zeise talks to the children about the process of creating her books: from the idea to the project, from the research to the storyboard to the non-fiction story. Zeise then reveals how the cat became our pet over the centuries.

Note:
The event can be booked for school classes at 9 am and for interested members of the public at 3 pm.

Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language:
German
Duration:
approx. 2 hours
Age recommendation: from 8 years / class 3 – 6


9 am & 3 pm – Bärbel Oftring: Day of the animals – wolves and bears

Alternating between storytelling, reading, a beamer show and quiz elements, biologist Bärbel Oftring provides exciting facts about wolves and bears.

Note:
The event can be booked for school classes at 9 am and for interested members of the public at 4 pm.

Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language:
German
Duration:
approx. 2 hours
Age recommendation: from 8 years / class 3 – 6


Day 9 – Saturday, October 19th

11 am – Einstein for Babies: Toddler Picnic with Einstein

Parents and toddlers are invited to come together for a simple story, songs and small activities.

Toddler Time, Get-together
Registration: ies@dai-heidelberg.de
Language: English
Duration: 30 minutes, but parents and kids are welcome to hang out longer
Age recommendation:  1 – 3 years


3 pm – Thomas Fraps: Day of Illusions

With his interpretation of the art of magic, former physicist Thomas Fraps takes the audience on an entertaining, astonishing journey between illusion and reality that turns the reality in the audience’s head upside down.

Magic show
Language: German
Duration:
approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: from the age of 10 – and all interested adults
Info & Tickets


Day 10 – Sunday, October 20th

Science Day!

On today’s Science Day, journalist Lucy Hawking and children’s book authors Jan Paul Schutten and Michal Figura explore the topics of space, nature and the animal kingdom in such a fascinating way that children can easily enlighten their parents.

Program

10:30 am – Michal Figura: Wolves
Michal Figura, one of Europe’s most experienced wolf researchers, answers every conceivable question about wolves in his non-fiction book in comic form – from rearing pups to radio collars and photo traps. At the same time, he tells the story of the people who protect these animals and their habitat.

11:30 am – Jan Paul Schutten: Forest
With his children’s non-fiction book full of lifelike illustrations, author Jan Paul Schutten conveys amazing facts about the forest and explores its secrets that you wouldn’t discover at first glance.

12:30 am – Break

3 pm – Lucy Hawking: The Universe
How did the universe come into being? Are there living beings in distant galaxies? Will it soon be possible to travel through time? Lucy Hawking addresses all these questions and more.

Book presentations and talks
Language:
English
Duration:
approx. 1.5 hours
Age recommendation: all ages
Info & Tickets


11 am – Martin Bärenz: The clown said no

The Clown Said No is a parable about identity, self-determination, initiative and overcoming crises.

Heidelberg composer Martin Bärenz has turned the picture book into a libretto and set it to music – for a circus band with clarinet, trumpet, trombone, double bass, piano and percussion of course! As in all his family concert pieces, Bärenz has also composed a sing-along song for this story, which the audience can easily learn and sing along to. The narrator is the singer and actress Ilona Schulz.

Children’s opera
Language: German
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Age recommendation: from 5 years
Info & Tickets

  • International Children’s Book Festival
    • International Children’s Book Festival 2024
    • International Children’s Book Festival 2023
  • Summer Reading at the DAI Library 2024

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