Chile

IBBY Chile was founded in 1964 by the noted children´s book writer and winner of the National Literature Prize, Marcela Paz. She was the creator of the famous Chilean character, Papelucho, whose adventures are still widely read by Chilean children and worldwide. Among other founding members were the writers Maité Allamand, Lucía Gevert, Alicia Morel, Elena Aldunate, Eliana Cerda, Virginia Cruzat, Gabriela Lezaeta, Amalia Réndic, Chela Reyes, María Silva Ossa, Pepa Turina and Marlore Anwandter.

At first, IBBY meetings were held in the writers’ homes.The Section began by organizing activites where the writers could meet children and talk to them about books. During this time much work was done in schools to stimulate children´s creativity. A national writing contest was organized in which children were encouraged to write stories and poems. In 1967 a selection of the entries was made and the result was a book, published by the Ministry of Education under the name of Los Niños Cuentan, (Children Tell Stories).

Today, IBBY Chile has established headquarters and holds the monthly meetings. At present, there is a surge of quality children´s books being published in Chile. The standards of production have improved and beautifully illustrated and well-bound books are being produced. Also educators, librarians and parents in general are working together with experts to get a good grasp on the concept of quality children´s books.

IBBY Chile has worked to promote the development of quality literature and pictorial works of art for young people. It has contributed to the improvement of the standard of art and education by the exchange of writers’and artists’ experiences, as well as by organizing writing contests, workshops, seminars and conferences. Our main aim is to help make Chilean children keen readers.