A New Page: Dakar Hosts International Children’s Book Fair
Dakar was buzzing with the excitement of young readers in mid-November as the Senegalese capital hosted the second edition of the International Children’s Book Fair. Publishers from across Senegal and the wider continent converged to share their love of literature with families and schools, showcasing a vibrant and growing sector.
Giving children a love of reading is at the heart of this event, and the tastes of Dakar’s young readers are as diverse as the city itself. “
I like comics, stories from Dakar!
” exclaimed one enthusiastic young visitor.
Alpha Diallo, a seasoned observer of the Senegalese publishing landscape from Les Classiques de la Teranga, has watched the market unfold for decades.
”
We have a lot of publishers, especially people who have recently arrived in the publishing industry and who publish mainly in the children’s niche. These are the tales where we talk about African stories that sell best.
”
he shares.
The High Cost of Bringing African Stories to Life
Arielle Anchandie and her cousin Wilfrida, two passionate Gabonese students, are making their mark on the literary scene through self-publishing. For two years, they have been diligently crafting beautiful youth albums of African legends, a true family affair.
“
My grandmother writes, my famous aunt and I do sales
”
explains Arielle, who found herself outsourcing printing to France as she couldn’t source the desired quality in Libreville.
Transporting those precious books from France to Senegal comes with a hefty price tag: 150,000 CFA francs to bring thirty books. This significant cost is reflected in the selling price of the albums, which retail for 15,000 CFA francs each.
“
Our prices are the most expensive because we are self-publishing. We don’t have the opulence of having partners, of having printing directly in publishing, etc…
”
Arielle acknowledges.
This dynamic duo has managed to place their four books in bookstores in Libreville, and the International Children’s Book Fair offers them a valuable platform to connect with potential partners across the African landscape.
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Schools: A Cornerstone for Children’s Literature
For established houses like Les Classiques de la Teranga, schools continue to be their primary clientele.
“
Many schools have libraries,
”
underlines Alpha Diallo.
“
Schools, where children have an hour or two of library time per week, really buy a lot.
”
While schools are an essential cornerstone for the children’s book market, the organizers of the fair believe broader support is crucial. This is the second edition in Dakar, and Alassane Cissé, who also heads Baobab editions, passionately advocates for greater investment.
“
The market must also be supplied, supported by the State of
Senegal
, by African States, by
African Union
,”
argues Cissé.
“
So that there are more children’s and children’s books. So that children and young people can cultivate themselves and travel through the book.
”
A fund exists in Senegal to aid the publishing sector, enabling larger publishing houses to offer more affordable options starting at 1,500 CFA francs per book.
How can investment in local infrastructure support the growth of the children’s book industry in Senegal?
## Interview with Alpha Diallo, Les Classiques de la Teranga
**(Intro Music)**
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the vibrant children’s book scene in Dakar, Senegal, fresh off the heels of the second annual International Children’s Book Fair. Joining us is Alpha Diallo, a veteran of the Senegalese publishing industry with decades of experience. Mr. Diallo, welcome to the show.
**Alpha Diallo:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, Alpha, the International Children’s Book Fair seemed to be a huge success. What are your thoughts on the current state of the children’s book market in Senegal?
**Alpha Diallo:** It’s an exciting time, indeed. We’re seeing a surge in new publishers, particularly those focusing on children’s literature. [[1](https://aalbc.com/bookstores/store.php?store_name=Chez Alpha Books)]. The demand for stories that reflect African experiences and cultures is clearly there. Young readers are looking for tales that resonate with their own lives, and publishers are stepping up to meet that need.
**Host:** You mentioned a growing number of new publishers entering the market. What are some of the challenges they face?
**Alpha Diallo:** One of the biggest challenges is finding affordable, high-quality printing services locally. [ [1](https://aalbc.com/bookstores/store.php?store_name=Chez Alpha Books)
This often forces publishers to outsource, which can be expensive. As the story of Arielle Anchandie and her cousin highlights, transporting books from overseas adds significant costs.
**Host:** That’s a great point. It underscores the need for investment in local infrastructure to support this growing industry.
**Alpha Diallo:** Absolutely. Investing in local printing services could make a huge difference in making publishing more accessible and affordable for Senegalese authors and illustrators.
**Host:** Well, Alpha Diallo, thank you for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the future of children’s literature in Senegal is bright.
**(Outro Music)**
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