The “Make-a-Picturebook” Project

“Spotlight on Africa” - the Bologna Children’s Book Fair initiative designed to promote the best African talent in illustration and publishing - has seen the participation of over 100 African publishers at the fair since its inception three years ago.

One of the ways this long-term commitment from BCBF has manifested is in the launching of an illustration and design workshop to teach 16 African illustrators how to create children’s books. "Make a Picturebook" - curated by Mimaster Illustrazione in collaboration with Book Buzz Foundation (Lagos, Nigeria) -  is an online course that comprises all the essential skills to create a market-ready children’s book proposal. 

The brief was to design a picture book based on a story written by authors Paul and Esther Okeugo, called “Zizah is different”, which tells the story of the life of a boy with autism. 16 illustrators from Nigeria took part in the course, which was run by illustrator and author Francesca Chessa.