![IBBY, Frane Lessac, Mark Greenwood, Shaun Tan, Susanne gervay's 'Ships in the Field' speaking at IBBY Congress London 2012 IBBY, Frane Lessac, Mark Greenwood, Shaun Tan, Susanne gervay's 'Ships in the Field' speaking at IBBY Congress London 2012](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ibby_logo-300x53.gif)
The IBBY CONGRESS London was about making friends across the world from Slovenia to Canada; USA to South Korea, from Mongolia to New Zealand; from India to the world…. to Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of the wonderful friends I made are in these photos – and there were other wonderful people too – Dr Veronika Rot Gabrovec Slovenia; Ingrid Kallstrom Stockholm; Merle Harris Edmonton Canada; Swapna Dutta Bangalore India …and …….many friends.
![Shoes from Rosanan Faria Venezuea illustrator at IBBY Congress London Shoes from Rosanan Faria Venezuea illustrator at IBBY Congress London](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Shoes-from-Rosanan-Faria-Venezuea-illustrator-300x225.jpg)
![Nami Island and Minn family, Frane Lessac and Susanne Gervay at IBBY Congress, London Nami Island and the Minn family, Frane Lessac and Susanne Gervay at IBBY Congress, London](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Nami-Island-and-Frane-and-Susanne-at-IBBY-Congress-300x225.jpg)
![Cristina Colombo writer and translator, Marjorie Couglan editor Paper Tigers, Susanne Gervay, Frane Lessac, at Ibby Congress London Cristina Colombo writer and translator, Marjorie Couglan editor Paper Tigers, Susanne Gervay, Frane Lessac, at Ibby Congress London](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/IBBY-Congress-London-2012-0061-300x225.jpg)
![Elizabeth and Stephen Guyton at IBBY Congress London with illustrator Frane Lessac Elizabeth and Stephen Guyton at IBBY Congress London with illustrator Frane Lessac](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Elizabeth-and-STepehn-at-IBBY-Congress-300x225.jpg)
![IBBY Congress London Heidi Cortner Boiesen, Susanne Gervay](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/IBBY-Congress-London-Heidi-Cortner-Boiesen-Susanne-Gervay-300x225.jpg)
Love being part of the Australian contingent.
Shaun Tan inspired a packed auditorium at Imperial College London.
Shan Tan is such a deep thinker but with lots of humour and self deprecation too. He accepts the frailties of life, observes, is in the malstrom of lifes he illustrates the human condition – its quirkiness, challenges, and that endless curiosity that drives us all.
Robin Morrow presenting on Bob Graham’s work which was great.
Loved Frane Lessac’s session with her colourful, celebratory picture books embracing all cultures.
Loved Mark Greenwood’s earthy, real work with indigenous communities in the West which he translates into significant historical picture books many illustrated by Frane Lessac.
In my own session on Ships in the Field,I explored how my personal story that translates to the universal story of an immigrant world seeking family, love and home.
![Janet Evans presenting on picture books, IBBY Congress London Janet Evans presenting on picture books, IBBY Congress London](http://www.sgervay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Janet-Evans-presenting-on-picture-books-300x225.jpg)
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS were but British academics Marjorie Couglan Editor of Paper Tigers respected e-journal and
Janet Evans Lecturer in Education Liverpool Hope University
both presented Australian Picture books including Arim Greder’s ‘Island; John Marsden’s and Matt Ottely’s ‘Home and Away’.
It was a special day.