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From March 31 to April 3, the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair served as a vibrant gathering for publishing professionals worldwide, where the atmosphere was enlivened by pasta, prosecco, and a shared passion for children’s literature. PW highlights key moments from the fair, showcasing celebrated authors and illustrators, award ceremonies, publishing parties, and more.
As a prelude to the fair, Penguin Random House held a cocktail reception at the Royal Hotel Carlton on Sunday night. During the event, CEO Nihar Malaviya honored Barbara Marcus, who is set to retire on May 1 from her role as president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books. Reflecting on the significance of her last Bologna fair, Marcus remarked, “When I look at people and think, I may never see you again, I get a little weepy. What makes it so special is the relationships, the conversations, the shared love of children’s books.”
On Monday evening at Palazzo Re Enzo in Bologna’s famous Piazza Maggiore, the winners of the 13th Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year were revealed, coinciding with the BolognaRagazzi Awards ceremony. The excitement continued into the night, where a long line formed for entry to the lively after-party.
Sydney Smith, who received the prestigious 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration last year in Bologna, attended the fair and engaged in various panels and programs. A solo exhibition of his artwork, featuring original pieces from his books and exclusive creations for the fair, was showcased in the Illustrators Café. During an on-stage appearance, he was joined by his longtime editor, Neal Porter, who is transitioning to publisher emeritus at Neal Porter Books, Holiday House.
This year, Estonia had the honor of being the guest of honor, presenting a thorough program that highlighted the nation’s rich contributions to children’s literature and illustration through various exhibitions and discussions.
The atmosphere was buoyant as renowned author Mo Willems interacted with attendees during the stand party organized by Hidden Pigeon on Tuesday, with author-agent interactions sparking lively discussions about children’s publishing.
At the Scholastic stand, the popular “Dog Man” series saw a flurry of activity with back-to-back meetings and signings.
A celebratory fifth-anniversary cake was cut by Simon de Jocas from Quebec’s Editions Les 400 Coups during a festivity for Publishers Without Borders on Thursday night, which drew more than 200 attendees.
Rights & Brands proudly marked 80 years of Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomins, celebrating their enduring legacy in the realm of children’s literature.
Friendly encounters filled the aisles, with Jean Christophe Boule-van Hensbroek from Lemniscaat greeting Karen Coeman from the Walker Books Group.
Nancy Traversy, CEO and co-founder of Barefoot Books, along with executive editor Kate de Palma, discussed the forthcoming release of Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History by Rachel C. Katz, illustrated by Sophie Bass. The book, which celebrates social activism in light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026, is set to partner with the nearby Concord Museum for a series of events, starting on April 19, commemorating the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
At the Simon & Schuster stand, Rachel Denwood, the managing director of their children’s division in the UK, engaged with Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray from the Macmillan’s Balzer + Bray imprint.
Jeff Kinney, creator of the “Wimpy Kid” series, delighted his fans with book signings. During a session on “Finding Funny Around the World” with fellow author-illustrator Davide Calì, Kinney expressed how his global success and extensive book tours provide him with new opportunities to grow personally, stating, “The different translations are like a passport for me. I keep getting to level up as a person.”
Venetian author Paola Myriam Visconti celebrated the release of her latest middle-grade fantasy title, The Moon Lily (Il giglio lunare), the fourth installment in her series Dynowish, which was published in both English and Italian by Giunti Editore. To commemorate her new book, her husband, artist Antonio Signorini, unveiled a bronze sculpture of a winged dinosaur-unicorn at the fairgrounds on March 31. Visconti also led a workshop for 300 children, engaging them in art and storytelling activities, and participated in panels discussing licensing and the transformation of books into global franchises alongside Beatrice Fini, director of children’s and YA editorial at Giunti.
The lovely spring weather encouraged many attendees to hold meetings outdoors, basking in the sunshine.
At the DK stand, Rosaria Munda signed galleys of Fireborne, the first book in her YA fantasy trilogy, The Aurelian Cycle. Originally launched in the U.S. by Putnam, Fireborne will be included in the launch list for DK’s new fiction imprint, DK flip, with its UK paperback release slated for May, followed by sequels Flamefall in July and Furysong in September.
In memorable moments, the fair celebrated the 80th anniversary of Astrid Lindgren’s beloved character Pippi Longstocking, featuring panels and festivities around the legacy of this iconic figure in children’s literature. During the fair, French author Marion Brunet was honored as the recipient of the 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the largest prize in children’s literature globally.
Author Matteo Razzini and illustrator Giovanna Marin were seen signing copies of their picture book Che coraggio, papà! (Zoolibri).
On April 2, Zoo, a local bookstore and café, hosted “Out of the Cage,” an exhibition featuring both published and unpublished picture book art. The exhibit highlighted numerous international artists selected over the years for the Unpublished Picturebook Showcase organized by the creative collective Dpictus.
Looking ahead, the next Bologna Children’s Book Fair is set for April 13–16 in 2026. Alla prossima!
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