Young readers choose favourite books

Approximately 6 300 readers chose their favourite book within the six age categories from 4 to 16 years during the past year. That makes the Children and Youth Jury the biggest readers’ jury in Flanders. The prestigious Award presentation at the art centre deSingel in Antwerp yesterday was attended by Flemish Culture Minister Joke Schauvliege CD&V and about 1 500 jury members and their companions, who shared the event with at least 50 authors and illustrators from Flanders and the Netherlands. Children enjoyed an opportunity to meet their favourite writers, listen to their readings, learn more about book illustration at various workshops and, most importantly, discover the array of the new books on the market. As from this year, the jury’s choice of books will also be available to children with a reading limitation, as Luisterpunt Listening support and the Reading Foundation, Stichting Lezen, will launch Braille and recorded versions.