The Italian website dedicated to independent bookstores for children

The Association of independent bookstores for children was born in Parma in 2006, when Silvia Barbagallo – in the wake of the French experience of Librairies Sorcières – rallied the booksellers of independent bookstores for children. The desire to put together the stories of individuals to exchange and spread the most beautiful children’s books has generated then the association, with its paper of intent:

• promotes reading for children, teens, teenagers: storybooks, novels, popular books, poetry, illustrated biographies, theater, in Italian and other languages.

• The independent bookseller has an active role: he reads, selects and promotes quality works, suggests books and supports the research work of small publishers; in this perspective, the library is a place where to meet and where to receive a service.

• The library is a friendly place, suitable to accommodate and dialogue with the children, with their teachers, parents, educators, where skilled and trained personnel plays a decisive role in the promotion of reading. Training is therefore an essential point in the identity of the independent bookseller.

• The independent bookseller promotes reading on the territory, in cities, suburbs, in the countries; in collaboration with institutions (eg. schools and libraries) and in agreement with the government, promotes initiatives such as exhibitions, festivals, presentations.

Finally, the independent booksellers association members undertake to promote an awareness campaign about the rules of the book market, through dialogue with partners (publishers, distributors, authors, legislators); they also undertake to participate actively in the life of the Association to build a supportive network, national and international, as a place of exchange and collective growth, contributing to building a more civilized and democratic country.

The site gives many informations: provides a list of independent bookstores, a list of publishers and one of the festivals, and many links to awards and competitions, fairs and exhibitions, magazines, associations, blog, all “in the subject”. The portal also assigns each year the Orbil and the Orbil Balloon (comic books) awards.

The site of the independent bookstores for children

www.fermoeditore.it