In Search for the Next Harry Potter



SHANGHAI, Sept. 16, 2013 (ANTARA/PRNewswire) -- In the spring of 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone debuted at a children's book fair in Bologna. An American publisher bought the copyright, and a magical wind swept across the world soon after, causing the Harry Potter series to enter into the Publishing Hall of Fame.

Now the Asia Pacific, a region boasting a huge population of young readers, will welcome the debut of its own children's book event. The first CCBF will take place at the Shanghai Mart Exhibition Center on 7-9 November this year, greeting professionals and book fans home and abroad. Industry professionals are keen to witness the birth of a new super bestseller at the event.


Children's book copyright trading in AP

Statistics in the 2012 China Publishing Industry Analysis Report showed that 9,000 more titles of children's books were published in China in 2012 compared to the previous year, representing an annual increase of 40.4%, offering a stronger performance than the average 12% increase of overall published titles. Since 2013, 47,000 titles of children's books have been filed at SARFT, accounting for 20.9% of the total filed titles in the country. Now the continued strong momentum of children's books represents a key part of China’s publishing industry.

CCBF, jointly launched by the Shanghai News and Press Bureau, CEPMG, China Universal Press & Publishing Co. Ltd. and managed by Reed Exhibitions as a sister event to Shanghai Book Fair and London Book Fair, will usher in the first major children's book fair in AP covering books, audio/video, entertainment, and education products and linking up copyright trade, authors, and reading activities.


A golden key to open up great possibilities in China and the world at large

CCBF is expected by the industry to be the golden key to open up huge possibilities for Chinese authors to embrace the world and for the world to make sorties into the Chinese market.

Hubei Children's Press and the six leading children's books publishers in East China will join hands and launch the Yang Hongying Zone at the event. Yang is the hottest children's author in China. Her leading work Diary of a Smiling Cat has sold more than 20 million copies, a marketing feat that shook the industry.

For foreign publishers, the Chinese market offers huge potentials. In 2012, children's books accounted for 52 of the top 100 bestselling general books in China.

Although still several months away from the event in November, overseas enthusiasm has been gaining strong momentum. Dozens of children's books publishers from the U.K., U.S., Australia, Spain, France, Belgium, India, Japan, Korea, and Malaysia, including leading industry players such as the U.K. Publishers' Association, CENGAGE Learning, McGraw-Hill Companies, Oxford University Press, Harper Collins, Hachette S.A., Garnet Education, and Benesse have all registered for the event. On top of bringing with them leading international children's titles, they also hope to find the next Harry Potter in this ancient oriental land.


CCBF Best Children's Book Awards

The CCBF Best Children's Book Awards was launched to honor of the 20 titles based on content, design, overall quality, and unique features. These titles are sure to attract the attention of leading players to bring their latest and best works to the event, and it provides an opportunity for contact with leading publishers, authors, translators, and illustrators home and abroad.

For more information on CCBF, please visit www.ccbookfair.com

SOURCE Reed Exhibitions (China) Co., Ltd.

Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2013