Bologna Children's Book Fair Returns for 63rd Edition with Norway as Guest of Honor
The 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair is set to take place from April 13 to 16, 2026, at BolognaFiere, featuring Norway as the Guest of Honor and centered around the theme 'What if?'. The fair will host 1,500 exhibitors from 90 nations, alongside BolognaBookPlus and the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids. Significant anniversaries being celebrated include the 200th birthday of Carlo Collodi, the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's passing, and the centenary of Mitsumasa Anno. The Mostra Illustratori exhibition will be a highlight, showcasing illustrations from Norway, China, Latin America, Iran, and Ukraine. Director Elena Pasoli emphasizes the Nordic influence on children's literature, with Italian contributions from Alessandro Barbero and Lorenzo Mattotti. A city-wide exhibition titled 'Il guardaroba favoloso e il filo che non ha fine' will continue until April 19.
Key facts
- Bologna Children's Book Fair 63rd edition runs April 13-16, 2026
- Norway is Guest of Honor with theme 'What if?'
- 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions participating
- Fair has expanded beyond books to include illustration, audiovisual, and new technologies
- Parallel platforms include BolognaBookPlus and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
- Celebrates anniversaries: Carlo Collodi (200th birthday), Agatha Christie (50th death), Mitsumasa Anno (100th birthday)
- Mostra Illustratori exhibition marks 60th anniversary
- City-wide program includes exhibition 'Il guardaroba favoloso e il filo che non ha fine' until April 19
Entities
Artists
- Beatrice Alemagna
- Lorenzo Mattotti
- Hervé Tullet
- Jacqueline Woodson
- Carlo Collodi
- Agatha Christie
- Mitsumasa Anno
- Alessandro Barbero
- Noushin Sadeghian
- Maria Haiduk
- Concita De Gregorio
- Mariangela Gualtieri
- Anna Balbusso
- Elena Balbusso
- Marianna Coppo
- Susanna Mattiangeli
- Felicita Sala
- Gianrico Carofiglio
- Riccardo Falcinelli
- Fabian Negrin
- Sergio Ruzzier
- Albertine Zullo
- Steven Guarnaccia
- Alex Urso
- Elena Pasoli
- Paola Vassalli
- Marcella Terrusi
- Silvana Sola
- Mariaelena Schiavo
- Anna Giulia Morano
- Tove Jansson
- Jon Fosse
- Øyvind Torseter
- Eva Lindström
- Stian Hole
- Kim Fupz Aakeson
- Karin Michaëlis
- Akin Düzakin
- Benjamin Lacombe
- Jérémie Moreau
- Edward van De Vendel
- Mauro Evangelista
- Paloma Valdivia
- Inês Oliveira
- Andrea Antinori
Institutions
- Bologna Children's Book Fair
- BolognaFiere
- BolognaBookPlus
- Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
- NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad)
- CCBF (Shanghai Children's Book Fair)
- Artribune
- NORLA
- Iperborea
- Camelozampa
- Beisler
- Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF)
- United Nations
- International Publishers Association (IPA)
- China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (CCBF)
- Pictoric
- International Book Arsenal Festival
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Norway
- Shanghai
- China
- Japan
- Iran
- Ukraine
- Corea
- Portugal
- Australia
- Olanda
- Scandinavia
- Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Germany
- Baltics
- Slovenia
- Angola
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Cameroon
- Moldova
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Uganda
- Africa