The Bologna Children’s Book Fair—one of the world’s most prominent and influential events dedicated to children’s literature—is gearing up to open its 62nd edition from March 31 to April 3 in the Italian city of Bologna. The fair will bring together a distinguished gathering of publishers, authors, illustrators, and literary agents from across the globe, with Estonia named as this year’s Guest of Honour.
The fair is widely regarded as a key platform for networking and exchanging publishing rights, attracting over 1,500 exhibitors from 100 countries and drawing thousands of professionals from the children’s publishing sector. It also features a wide array of events, including BolognaBookPlus, a parallel initiative focusing on general publishing. BolognaBookPlus includes book exhibitions, training conferences, and professional networking opportunities.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest releases in children’s literature and to stay abreast of emerging trends in the field. It fosters global collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals, and serves as a mirror reflecting the pulse of the international children’s publishing market. The fair enables publishers, authors, illustrators, and editors from around the world to track key developments—be it in thematic content, visual styles, or narrative techniques.
The event also serves as a vibrant laboratory for forecasting future directions in the industry, such as the growing prominence of young adult literature tackling themes of identity, climate change, and cultural diversity, as well as the rise of interactive storytelling and digital illustration. Through panel discussions, critical sessions, and artistic showcases, the fair highlights shifting global perceptions of childhood and children’s literature—and how publishers are adapting to technological evolution, addressing challenges of the digital age, and shaping the awareness of new generations.
