The 20 best stories submitted in the competition entitled ‘500 words’ have been selected. We celebrate all of them before we reveal which two stories that will be published by Gyldendal.

In Danish

The acclaimed author and artist, three times winner of the Kate Greenaway medal, is also a political cartoonist for the Guardian and Observer. He has illustrated titles by Neil Gaiman and, together with Paul Stewart, is the creator of the hugely successful Edge Chronicles. His own books include the Ottoline and Goth Girl series; this latest is Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony (September 2017). Riddell has just completed two years as the UK Children’s Laureate, where he passionately conveyed how much fun young people can have with a pencil. Today he will live-draw answers to your questions and share insights into his world. Have your questions ready in the queue.

In English and Danish

Experience an exceptional reading aloud session in French and Danish when two of Europe’s best young authors read aloud from their own stories written for the anthology Odyssey. An illustrator will draw live on stage to accompany the stories, which are: What we Have Lost by Sarah Engell (Denmark) and Out There by Victor Dixen (France).

In Danish and French

Moderator: Jesper Kirkegaard
Illustrator: Dan Ræder Knudsen

Will you build a spaceship? Where will it take you?

An exhibition by the publishing house Gyldendal of the author and illustrator Jakob Martin Strid’s world, together with other well-loved children’s books. There will be readings and activities throughout the festival.

In Danish

Create your own bookmark monster out of paper. Come on your own or bring a grown-up.

In all languages

We need your help to give new life to old books. In this workshop you can create book art by making figures from the pages, or compose poetry through rearranging words and phrases. We provide books and suggestions to get you started.

Join the expansion of the Harry Potter-universe in Minecraft. Just bring yourself and one big idea.

For all Minecraft-loving children, in all languages

Pop in to the Illustration Hub where you can watch professional artists at work, from first stroke to finished book. Join in a workshop or simply watch and be inspired.

In Danish

Stian Hole in conversation with Rebecca Bach Lauritsen on his inspiration, technique and why he thinks the picture book is so special.

In Norwegian and Danish

Experience an exceptional reading aloud session in Dutch, German and Danish from two of Europe’s best young authors whose stories are included in the anthologies Quest and Odyssey. An illustrator will live-draw on stage. The stories are: The Girl with no Name by Aline Sax (Belgium) and Lost in Transformation by Cornelia Travnicek (Austria).

Both are available on the Gyldendals Danskportal

In Danish, Dutch and Austrian

Moderator: Mette Rabæk
Illustrator: Dan Ræder Knudsen

Where will you land in the spaceship you make?

An exhibition by the publishing house Gyldendal of the author and illustrator Jakob Martin Strid’s world, together with other well-loved children’s books. There will be readings and activities throughout the festival.

In Danish

All it takes is to imagine another world in another time. In Hans Christian Andersen’s stories he makes an object the main character, just as children do when they play games. In this workshop you’ll learn how to create a story through play.

In Danish

We need your help to give new life to old books. In this workshop you can create book art by making figures from the pages, or compose poetry through rearranging words and phrases. We provide books and suggestions to get you started.

Join the expansion of the Harry Potter-universe in Minecraft. Just bring yourself and a great idea.

For all Minecraft loving children

In all languages

Jeffers’ new book is inspired by the birth of his son, and started with the strangeness of being a parent and the realization that new life is a blank slate. As the book unfolded, so did global events, and he felt that he had to re-emphasise the simple principles of humanity. He wanted his son to know that while we are all unique individuals, we are all in this together. Join Jeffers as he tells some stories, explains some stuff, draws some pictures, answers some questions, and generally clears a few things up.

Jeffers’ picture books include The Incredible Book Eating Boy, This Moose Belongs to Me, The Day Crayons Quit and its sequel The Day the Crayons Came Home (both No1 New York Times bestsellers) and Once Upon an Alphabet. All have been have been translated into more than 30 languages. Working in collaboration with Studio AKA, the author’s second book Lost and Found was developed into an animated short film that has received more than 60 awards, including a BAFTA for Best Animated Short Film.

In English and Danish

Experience an exceptional reading aloud session in Norwegian, Portuguese and Danish, when two of Europe’s best young authors read their own stories written for the anthology Odyssey. An illustrator will live-draw on stage.

The stories are: The Blue Bell by Ana Pessoa (Portugal) and When I Open my Eyes the World’s Askew by Annette Münch (Norway).

In Danish, Portuguese and Norwegian

Moderator: Jannik Mulvad
Illustrator: Søren Jessen