Vancouver, British Columbia Jul 29, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Concluding its five-day run on June 21, the fair brought together 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries and regions, with Oh Nigel, is That You? included in Explora Books’s international exhibition catalog. Inspired by an actual child and accompanied by illustrations and photographs, the collection traces Nigel’s experiences of growth from early childhood through age twelve.
Recognized as the second-largest book fair in the world and Asia’s foremost international publishing event, BIBF marked its 40th anniversary under the theme “Using Books as a Medium to Facilitate Communication and Dialogue, Leading to Cooperative Success for All Parties Involved,” with programming that emphasized inclusive storytelling, the global reach of children’s literature, and books that reflect children’s lived experiences. Within that setting, Oh Nigel, is That You? offered a portrait of childhood grounded in observation, memory, and everyday family life.
The collection brings together thirteen short poems centered on Nigel’s early years. Beginning in infancy and moving forward year by year, the poems capture scenes of mischief, discovery, learning, and family life through brief, rhythmic moments. Alongside Kahmeika Harriatt’s illustrations, photographs of the real Nigel appear throughout the book, creating a direct connection between the poems and the life that inspired them.
The early poems focus on ordinary childhood experiences rendered with humor and familiarity: climbing stairs, testing boundaries, collecting objects, making noise, and discovering new interests. Each poem closes with the refrain, “Oh, Nigel, is that you?”—a line that functions as both affectionate recognition and a reminder that childhood is built from countless small moments of being seen and heard.
As Nigel grows older, the collection broadens in emotional range. New interests emerge through activities such as music, sports, language learning, and time spent with friends and family. The poems continue to follow familiar milestones while introducing experiences that shape a child’s understanding of the world.
The last poem marks a subtle shift in tone. At age twelve, Nigel appears as an altar boy, and the recurring refrain changes from question to affirmation: “Oh, Nigel, this is you!” The closing photographs extend that sense of continuity, linking the earlier poems to later stages of Nigel’s life and emphasizing the collection’s interest in growth, memory, and recognition.
Latimore dedicated the collection to her nieces and nephews, and that spirit shapes the book throughout. Rather than focusing on extraordinary events, the poems preserve ordinary experiences and suggest that the details of childhood—family routines, mistakes, celebrations, and change—become meaningful through attention and care.
The 40th BIBF also hosted over 1,000 cultural events across Beijing and launched its first IP Licensing Zone, reflecting the fair’s continued investment in stories that connect readers across languages, formats, and audiences. Oh Nigel, is That You? reflects one of children’s literature’s enduring strengths: the ability to preserve everyday experiences and reveal how familiar moments can resonate far beyond the lives that inspired them.
Oh Nigel,is That You? is available through Amazon, BookBaby Bookshop, and other major online bookstores.
About Explora Books
Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.
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