Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2019

Our wonderful agents Kate and Adolfo flew to Italy this April to attend Bologna Children’s Book Fair!

This world famous fair is a unique cultural book show and international rights business forum for children’s content. It took place over a course of 4 days of events with more than 26,000 people taking part!

This year’s guest of honour was Switzerland who brought a rich programme of meetings to town as well as an exhibition consisting of 26 Swiss illustrators. 

Kate and Adolfo met with many publishers and artists in the children’s book sector including SM, and their very own Emanuela Mannello – as well as enjoying the Swiss Pop Up Party!

It was great to see Collaborate projects in the flesh such as El Hombre Prehistórico, a historical project we worked on for Libsa Editorial, illustrated by Andrea Rossetto!

Every year the Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the place to be for the most coveted international awards in the world of children’s publishing: the BOP – Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publisher of the Year acknowledges the best publishers at a global level; the BolognaRagazzi Award is one of the most prestigious prizes in children’s publishing aimed at selecting the best illustrated books; the BolognaRagazzi Digital Award, celebrating the best creations in the field of digital publishing; the Strega Prize Ragazze e Ragazzi the children’s section of Italy’s most prominent award for literature.

Two prizes are also awarded in the field of illustration: the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – Fundación SM International Illustration Award, and the ARS IN FABULA – Grant Award both supporting young emerging illustrators.

As well as business meetings, picture books and gelato, Art Historian Adolfo loved the beautiful buildings and art that Bologna had to offer!

We can’t wait to come back next year!