Opine Books
Group rights director Tracy Phillips explained: “In response to declining literacy rates across the world, our customers have been asking us for lower word counts and more highly illustrated books, often in full colour.”
Also among the morning’s keynotes, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstones children’s laureate for 2024 to 2026, discussed his close family connection with Spellow Lane Library in Liverpool, ravaged by the recent riots and the subject of a major crowdfunding campaign which raised £250,000.
Festival director and co-founder John McLay said: "Having worked with hundreds of children across the south west over the years, we know that Bath is a city with one of the highest ranges of socio-economic indicators.
CNPIEC also pointed to more than 1,000 cultural events, including mini-exhibitions, lectures, seminars, salons, author appearances, and book launches around Beijing, attracted nearly 300,000 visitors over the five-day period; 15 new countries and regions, including Azerbaijan, Czechia, Nigeria, Norway, Slovakia and Qatar, who participated this year compared to last year; while Japan, Malaysia, the UK and Italy expanded their presence.