Epigram Books in the running for Bologna Prize for Best Children’s Publisher of the Year for the second time

SINGAPORE, 2 MARCH 2017 — Epigram Books has been shortlisted once again for the Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, which will be presented at the 54th Bologna Children’s Book Fair from 3 to 6 April this year.

“We’re doubly honoured to be nominated once again for the prize,” said Edmund Wee, Publisher and CEO of Epigram Books. “We are introducing Singapore fiction to the world through our recently set up London office. We hope this nomination will expose our children’s book authors and illustrators to the world as well.”

Nominated for the second year by publisher associations worldwide and 2017 fair exhibitors, Epigram Books, founded in 2011 to champion Singaporean literature, have published over 100 Singapore children’s and young adult titles, with more than 40 new titles scheduled for this year. Notable titles include the popular Amos Lee series, which has sold a total of 240,000 copies, and the Sherlock Sam series, which has sold over 63,000 copies and is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.

Three picture books published in 2016, Karung Guni Boy by Lorraine Tan and Eric Wong, Grandma and The Things That Stay the Same by Eve Aw and Yunroo, and Emma & Ginger Book 3: Dad’s at Home by Lily Kong and Jeanette Yap, have been sent to Bologna for the judging process.

The Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, now in its fifth year, rewards creative, innovative publishers based on “the editorial projects, professional skills and intellectual qualities of work produced by publishing houses all over the world”.

Nominees are shortlisted into six categories organised by region: Asia, Africa, Central-South America, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Prize winners are determined by publishing houses, international publishers’ associations as well as cultural institutions taking part in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Epigram Books is the only publisher from Singapore in the Asian category. Others in the shortlist are Borim Press from South Korea, Kaisei-Sha Publishing and One Stroke from Japan, and Karadi Tales from India.