In order to gain experience in inclusive storytelling and contribute to a more inclusive landscape ourselves, Every Story Matters also features a talent development programme intended to coach six emerging authors and illustrators from our partner countries in creating their first inclusive children’s book.
We launched an open call at the end of 2019 and received more than 170 applications. Each partner set up a selection committee with an expert on children’s literature and diversity, and was responsible for selecting one author or illustrator. Each chosen participant was then paired with a mentor who coached them in their own artistic and professional development and the development of their story.
The six new stories developed by the talents are presented to audiences and children in schools and libraries at the Zagreb Book Festival 2022, as well as to publishers at the Frankfurt Book Fair later this year. We are tremendously proud to be able to present them, and their work to you:
Meet the Talents:
Check out the video below for a sneak peek into the lives of our talented creatives and their experience with our project:
Inês Viegas Oliveira
Illustrator from Portugal.
Manaf Alattar
Illustrator from Germany.
Mirna Brođanac
Writer from Croatia.
Najiba Abdellaoui
Writer from The Netherlands
Shamisa Debroey
Illustrator from Belgium
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Staša Guček
Illustrator from Slovenia.
Guided by experts
Alongside mentorship, we offered our group a selection of six online masterclasses that introduced them to various topics of inclusive storytelling, such as the importance of perspective and the impact of children’s stories. Interested in viewing the online masterclasses? Find them through the links below: