.png){kind=logo}
.jpg)
NPBP
20 Picture Books for Nigerian Children
We’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between Book Buzz Foundations and the European Union, a partnership that is igniting the next generation of Nigerian storytellers and illustrators!
This initiative is designed to train, mentor, and support 40 young Nigerian creatives (aged 21–30) who are passionate about creating engaging children’s books that reflect local realities.
Thanks to the EU’s support, BookStorm is becoming the launchpad for writers and illustrators who are ready to tell stories for the next generation of Nigerian readers.
20 Books for Nigerian children,
written and illustrated by Nigerians.
20 Books for Nigerian children, written and illustrated by Nigerians
PROUDLY NIGERIAN
WHO BETTER TO EDUTAIN THE NEXT GENERATION THAN THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY WALKED IN THEIR SHOES?
Bookstorm Courses
Inspiring Virtual Workshops
Participate in online workshops and projects led by experienced trainers to enhance your writing and illustrating skills.
Cultural Relevance
Creating books that resonate with children from all over Nigeria, thereby promoting inclusivity and cultural appreciation.
Editorial and Publicati
One of the best things about Bookstorm courses is that we love working with authors from ideation to publication.
Training Course
Phase 1
Training for Writers
This programme is designed for writers to develop 500-word picture books for children aged 5–8.
Each week, participants explore the craft of storytelling through structured sessions that include which will cover storytelling Fundamentals such as how to:
-
Develop strong, memorable characters
-
Build simple, engaging story arcs
-
Craft dialogue children can relate to
-
Write with rhythm, clarity, and purpose
-
Explore themes rooted in curiosity, joy, and empathy
-
Consider age-appropriateness and child-centred perspectives
Training for Illustrators
This programme is designed for illustrators to develop vibrant and engaging illustrations appropriate for picture books for children aged 5–8.
Led by experts. Sessions will explore illustrating through sessions that will cover:
-
Visual storytelling and sequencing
-
Character design and setting
-
Colour, texture, and tone
-
Reflecting Nigerian culture and environments authentically
-
Collaborating with writers to bring stories to life
Illustrators receive direct feedback from mentors, build their portfolios, and learn how to prepare artwork for print and digital formats.
Phase 2
Working Together
Writers and illustrators will be supported with examples and guided analysis, They will also receive practical writing tasks and engage in group feedback and discussions.
In the final phase of training, we help writers and illustrators understand and reflect regional and societal issues through story. Here, we explore:
-
What matters to children in your community?
-
What challenges do they face in everyday life?
-
What stories can help them make sense of their world?
Writers and illustrators learn to transform real issues—like access to clean water, friendship, community roles or environmental changes into hopeful and imaginative stories that spark learning and belonging.
Collaboration & Book Development
Writers and illustrators are paired to co-create original children’s books. With the support of experienced editors, tutors, and mentors, each team moves from draft to finished book—refining text and illustration side by side.
Phase 3
Publication & Showcase
The journey doesn’t end with training. Completed books are:
-
Professionally published
-
Featured on the BookStorm website
-
Showcased at festivals and fairs
-
Distributed to schools and libraries across Nigeria
We believe in upholding the highest standards in children’s literature, ensuring that every book becomes a gateway for children to imagine, explore, and understand themselves and our world.
Key Dates
Applications Open
10 August 2025
Applications Close
1 Septemper 2025
Participants Announced
15 September 2025
Training Commences
25 September 2025
Collaborating with friends
The Book Buzz Foundation is as the national section of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) in Nigeria. This affiliation connects us to a global community of experts in children’s literature—from award-winning authors and illustrators to publishers, editors, literacy specialists, and scholars. It means that BookStorm participants benefit not just from local expertise, but from the insights and mentorship of leading voices in the international children’s book space.
Through IBBY, the Book Buzz Foundation can invite world-renowned professionals to contribute to our training sessions—delivering masterclasses, reviewing work, and sharing best practices in storytelling, illustration, and book production. This access elevates the quality of training we offer, ensuring that our writers and illustrators are learning from the highest global standards while creating stories rooted in Nigerian realities.
IBBY’s international network offers opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and visibility. Participants in BookStorm can connect with a broader community, access exclusive IBBY resources, and even have their work showcased at global exhibitions and fairs. Being part of IBBY empowers BookStorm to nurture talent with the aim of creating books that are both locally relevant and globally competitive.
