I want to host a public reading, event or workshop. Where do I get permission?
You want to use the multilingual picture books "Am I small?" (200+ languages and dialects), "In here, out there!" (80+), "Egbert Turns Red" (100+), "Five Metres of Time", "Sleep Sheep Number One" or "The Safest Place in the World" (50+) for an offline or online event, a monolingual or multilingual reading, a storytelling hour or a school project – then you have come to the right place! In the following we will try to answer all your questions.
For permissions regarding other publications, e.g. "Just Like Dad", please contact the relevant publisher.
Do I need an additional written permission?
No. If your event meets the conditions mentioned here, this page automatically is your written permission. If you are planning an event that does not meet the conditions mentioned here, it is possible that laws or regulations of your country, such as fair use or the use of sources in the context of teaching, will make your project possible, even if we cannot give you official permission due to our contractual obligations. In order to keep the administrative effort for both sides as low as possible, we kindly ask you to refrain from enquiries on topics that are already covered here. Furthermore, we do not offer any legal advice.
Which conditions must my offline event fulfil?
All content is protected under copyright and may not be copied or published. You can use the above-mentioned picture books free of charge if...
1. ...your event is free of charge. Visitors do not have to pay an admission fee.
2. ...your event is not permanently recorded, i.e. no audio or video recordings are created or published.
Which conditions must my online event fulfil?
All content is protected under copyright and may not be copied or published. You can use the above-mentioned picture books free of charge if...
1. ...your online event is free of charge. Viewers and listeners do not have to pay.
2. ...your online event is only streamed once at a specific point in time. You do not publish it permanently, i.e. no video recordings on YouTube or similar.
Which conditions must my event fulfil if it is offline and online?
All content is protected under copyright and may not be copied or published. You can use the above-mentioned picture books free of charge if...
1. ...your event is free of charge for all visitors, viewers and listeners. There is neither an entrance fee nor a fee for virtual participation.
2. ...your event is only streamed live. It is not published permanently, i.e. no video recordings on YouTube or similar.
I would like to live stream an online reading and then leave it online for a week. Is that possible?
Yes and No. You have to distinguish between the two cases:
1. The Live-streamed online reading: as already described above, the live-streamed online reading is permitted if no participation fee is charged.
2. A recorded online reading: Because of contractual obligations, we cannot officially authorise the permanent availability of the copyright-protected content on the internet. In many countries fair use laws may allow you to keep the recording available for a few days and probably everybody will be happy, if you do not exceed one month.
I am planning an online event that will only be shown once at a specific time. However, it will be pre-produced, so it won`t be streamed live directly. Is that possible?
Yes, if you do not make the pre-produced content permanently available afterwards. You may only stream the reading, broadcast it or show it in any other way as part of your event once.
I found a video of a reading of "Am I small?" online. So, I'm allowed to show my recording online too, aren't I?
No. We have not authorised the permanent availability of copyrighted content on YouTube or other public platforms on the internet in the form of readings, workshops or similar.
If you have found a recording, this may be a copyright infringement. The legal situation is often very complex as many countries have different laws on copyright issues, educational design, fair use, use of protected sources in science and teaching, etc. We have no interest in suing you, but reserve the right to respond to infringements.
If I want to take admission for a multilingual reading of the book "Am I small?" and also want you to share in the profits, how do I proceed?
Currently, we do not support paid readings, workshops or events. Please refrain from a request. Thank you.
Do I have to inform you in writing about my event or project in advance?
No. But of course we are delighted to hear about your event, especially if you send some pictures afterwards. However, you don't have to let us know beforehand or afterwards if your event meets the conditions mentioned above.
Am I allowed to show the books via projector on the big screen at my event?
Yes. If you want to display specific languages, it is best to use the e-book editions. A free Kindle Unlimited trial subscription gives you full access to all of the 200+ languages and dialects and is available for 30 days. If you want to show a translation to American Sign Language, you can find a video here.
I would like to show the illustrations without text at the event/storytelling hour via projector. How does this work?
Please e-mail us at least two weeks in advance of your event and give us the date and details. If time permits, we will check your request and send you a language-free picture book PDF free of charge for you to use at the event in question. If you do not receive a reply in time, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and recommend that you use a version with text.
Could you send us books in languages XYZ for the event?
No. We do not have any books in stock that we can lend or give you to keep. Neither do we accept collective orders. The production and distribution of the books is globally coordinated by partner companies who print and deliver as locally as possible. This protects the environment through short supply chains and demand-oriented production.
Can you send us flyers or handouts that advertise "Am I small?" for the event?
No. Please use the background information in the books or on the official website.
Can you send us teaching resources on "Am I small?”?
Yes and no. We do not send out anything, but there is free material available on the internet: Please use the suggestions for lesson planning (in English language) by Carissa Peck or the free book module by Sarah Kochanek and Anna Shao. If you’re interested in the project in general take a look at this article (in German language) by special educational needs teacher Ute Schmerbauch. You could also develop your own concepts specially designed for your classroom. We’d love to hear about them!
Is it possible to receive e-books of "Egbert turns red" in the language combinations X-Y, Y-Z, … for the event?
Yes. They are already available: Every one of the 100+ languages and dialects in which "Egbert turns red" is available is free to download as a PDF file and languages can be freely combined. An alternative download server is provided by the German National Library (Deutschen Nationalbibliothek). You can create any of the 10,000+ possible language combinations yourself.
Is it possible to receive e-books of "Am I small?" in the language combinations X-Y, Y-Z, … for the event?
Yes and no. We regularly distribute books for free in e-book format in many language combinations, but we are not able to process individual requests. Please, refrain from further requests.
For special language combination requests, please simply access the free Kindle Unlimited trial subscription. This gives you full access to all of our 200 and more languages and dialects for 30 days. During the trial period, you can also access all e-books with language combinations of the titles "In here, out there!", "Fifteen Feet of Time" and "The Safest Place in the World" free of charge.
We would like to invite you to our multilingual event. Would you read from your book, answer questions from the audience or sign books afterwards?
No. Not currently, due to time constraints. Nor will I do so digitally. There are many writers who happily and frequently give readings, workshops, book signings etc. Please contact these dear colleagues directly for further information.
You will find in-depth background information on the creation of the World Children's Book Project in this report (in German language). This will enable you to answer most of the audience's questions yourself if necessary.
Would you send us some catalogues, autograph cards or signed copies of book XY by post for the event?
No. We do not offer this or similar services. For several years now, we have completely stopped producing printed catalogues for the sake of our environment. You can find all the latest information on available languages and dialects on the internet.
The media wants to report about our event. Is that possible without additional permission?
Yes. Regardless of whether it is television, radio, newspaper or similar: journalistic reporting is subject to its own rules and regulations and can use book sections independently of the conditions mentioned here.
I have carefully read the FAQ and searched the internet but my question has not been mentioned or answered. Whom should I contact for help?
Please contact us by e-mail via the feedback e-mail address.
