Wimmelbooks Exhibitions

The Whole World on One Page- International Wimmelbooks

Exhibition Dates: 23-26 May 2024, 10.00am-6.30pm

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building, 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064

There’s a lot going on in wimmelbooks: Children are romping around, sledding and skiing; people are having fun in marketplaces or on the beach; cars and trains are rushing over bridges and through tunnels. Without (many) words, wimmelbooks show the fullness of life, some celebrate abundance and chaos with relish, others try to impart a structure to the “more is more” lifestyle.

Often, wimmelbooks are fond of detail. At the same time, they work with condensation and repetition. Those wimmelbooks that are based on reality and depict everyday scenes and diversity have the potential to show “the whole world on one page” and thus convey knowledge about “the world”. However, the perspective always remains focused and determined by the chosen point of view.

Thanks to their appellative and open character, wimmelbooks and their pictures invite viewers to ask questions and to search, marvel, fantasize and invent stories. They thrive on interaction with their counterparts, because they not only encourage people to look closely, but also provide a huge pool of stories waiting to be told.

The exhibition “The Whole World on One Page. International Wimmelbooks” shows a selection of wimmelbooks and pictures from countries such as Japan, Poland, Belgium or Norway from the last 20 years. The picture panels are arranged in four sections: The section “City and Beyond” invites readers to explore urban spaces. The section “Fish and Ships” focuses on bustling scenes that take place in and around water. The section “Pleasure” is about fickle occasions such as festivals, sociable meals and amusement park visits, while in the section “World Views”, one can find images with references to real places around the world.

In addition, the illustration exhibition is also accompanied by a selection of wimmelbooks for visitors to pick up and read.

Enjoy the exhibition!

An exhibition curated by the Internationale Jugendbibliothek.

The Whole World on One Page- Asian Wimmelbooks

Curated by: Josef Lee and Lin Shicong

Exhibition Dates: 23-26 May 2024, 10.00am-6.30pm

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building, 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064

Welcome to the Asian wimmelbook section!  This section is a special exhibition co-curated by the Singapore Book Council, Josef Lee, Lin Shicong, and the International Youth Library, Munich, that accompanies the original collection of The Whole World on One Page- International Wimmelbooks. We aim to introduce more wimmelbooks created by Asian artists, reflecting life in Asia, to readers.

Seventeen books from Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Korea and Japan were carefully selected, each offering a unique glimpse into Asian perspectives and cultures. Four books in this section are in accordion format: A Village is A Busy Place, 동물원 (Zoo), 菜市 (Wet Market), and 夜市 (Night Market). Unfurling into elongated sheets, these books unfold a panorama of lively scenes- intricate details emerge, providing a captivating gateway to the vibrant tapestry of Asian life and customs.

These books celebrate the diversity of Asian cultures, paying homage to the region's bustling communities and vibrant food culture. Some scenes may feel familiar, like the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay or the lotus light decorations during Deepavali. Others offer new discoveries, inviting you to let your eyes and imagination lead you on a journey of exploration and wonder.

Multiple parallel worlds await exploration here: a little girl celebrating Chinese New Year in Beijing, mynahs flying above Kampong Gelam in Singapore, a busy village in India full of fun and laughter ...

From the original wimmelbooks to our curated Asian collection, join us on a whirlwind tour of diverse worlds and pick out your favourite scenes. But the journey doesn't end there—participate in the creation of our very own AFCC wimmelbook at our collaborative drawing station. Leave your mark alongside fellow visitors, each with their own unique stories to tell about AFCC.

Keep an eye out as well for the works of international and local illustrators reflecting on "My Day at AFCC" at the artist signing board. 

Asian Children’s Literature Collection: Timeless Tales

Exhibition Dates: From 23rd May 2024, 10.00am-9.00pm
Venue: Level 9, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library Building, 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064

Explore captivating details seen through the panoramic lens of Asian-based wimmelbooks and enjoy close-up views of wondrous stories in Asian folktales at this curated book display. Reflecting values and customs of various cultures in Asia, the timeless tales highlighted here will enchant both the young and the young at heart.

This exhibition was curated as a companion exhibition to The Whole World on One Page- International and Asian Wimmelbooks, at the Asian Festival of Children's Content 2024.