[1][2] In 2012, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) launched its Silent Books project in response to the large numbers of refugees from the Middle East and Africa on the island of Lampedusa, Italy.
The first part of the project was to provide books to local and refugee children that could be read regardless of language.
One set was deposited at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, another at the library in Lampedusa, and another as part of a travelling exhibition.
Individual books are nominated by IBBY's national sections, and the collections are displayed at IBBY congresses and at the annual Bologna Children's Book Fair.
110 books were nominated from 4 continents[4]Honour list: Honorary Mention Amnesty International: Honorary Mention IBBY Italia: Honorary Mention Palazzo Delle Esposizioni: 51 books were nominated from 18 countries[5]Honour list: Menzione Autorita Garante Per L'Infanzia e L'Adolescenza: Menzione Amnesty International: 79 books were nominated from 20 countries[6]Honour list: 67 books were nominated from 16 countries[7]Honour list: Menzione Speciale Palazzo Delle Esposizioni: Menzione Speciale Amnesty International: 76 books were nominated from 22 countries[8]Honour list 2021: 70 books were nominated from 22 countries[9]Honour list: Futuro Anteriore: Menzione Speciale Palazzo Delle Esposizioni: Menzione speciale - Sea-watch.org