On November 17, the 11th edition of the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair concluded its three-day run after hosting 497 exhibitors from 32 countries/regions. Post-event statistics from co-organizer BolognaFiere showed that 41,262 people attended the fair, including 17,081 professional visitors. A total of 353 professional events, book launches, and reading activities were held. Here we’ve gathered a selection of photo highlights from the fair. All photos by Teri Tan.
International book events such as CCBF provide parents and educators with an opportunity to check out the widest range of titles—translated and original—for their children and schools.
Original watercolor illustrations from the Fox Family picture book series were exhibited at the Sichuan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House booth to attract not just children, parents, and educators but also budding authors and illustrators for its publishing program.
Live-streaming is fast becoming an indispensable direct-selling and social influence-building activity for many local publishers at book events throughout China.
A much loved and universally recognized character, Garfield has found new fame and even more fans after the animated comedy film became a hit at the box office upon its premiere on June 1, which is Children’s Day in China.
There were many attractive and creative booths at CCBF, especially those by domestic publishers. Seen here is the display at Thinkingdom Children’s Books, which is a part of a much bigger media corporation that also owns Astra Publishing House and Editions Philippe Picquier.
The DK brand has always been popular with Chinese children, educators, and parents. In recent years, due to China’s ongoing Lunar Exploration Program, DK’s astronomy titles have been in high demand.
Keeping active schoolchildren glued to their seats and enjoying the story unfolding on the big screen was a tough task. But this particular Chinese historical animated feature managed to do just that.
A boy tries his hands at playing with blocks. This activity, which promotes cognitive and motor skills as well as creativity and problem-solving abilities, is popular in China, mostly due to the widespread influence of Montessori Education and Lego.
An eye-catching mural from Leo Paper Group, a major export-based print-manufacturing company that specializes in paper and packaging products, including children’s books, board games, and gift sets.
Pop-up books appeal to children anytime and anywhere. Seen here were pop-ups based on Bronze Age artifacts (dating back to the 12th and 11th centuries B.C.E.) found at the Sanxingdui archaeological site in China’s Sichuan province. Similarities between this site and those of Peru’s Incan citadel were the subject of a documentary series, From the Great Wall to Machu Picchu, which premiered on November 16 (the second day of CCBF), thus creating a lot of buzz and curiosity for these pop-ups at the fair.
Children got together to paint Chinese opera masks—or Jing masks—and learn more about traditional Chinese musical theater and its many different forms.
Breaking away from the crowds to focus on reading.