The 62nd edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair opened to sunny skies on Monday, March 31, drawing an estimated 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions around the world. Many of the conversations among publishers and onstage in panels underscored the interconnectedness of children’s books and global politics.
Francesco Sedita, president and publisher of Penguin Workshop, summed up the mood of the fair thus far: “Everyone here is in great spirits. We’re happy to talk about what we love. It’s a good bubble to be in.” Whenever people veer into the subject of current events, he finds they’ll counter the anxiety with excitement, saying, “But here’s this really nice picture book!”
Even the panels that addressed the political and literal climate weren’t all glum, encouraging collective responsibility and action. Information integrity and battling disinformation and propaganda has emerged as a critical component of publishing’s sustainability efforts, according to panelists at the “Sustainability Summit” held on day one of the fair. The event featured Rachel Martin (Elsevier), Leonardo Aldegheri (Grafiche AZ), Anne Bergman-Tahon (Federation of European Publishers), Mary E. Glenn (UN Publications), Helena Mansell-Stopher (Products of Change), Iroo Joo (Korean Publishers Association), Gvantsa Jobava (International Publishers Association), and Nicolas Roche (BIEF).
Glenn of UN Publications warned that “the rise in media misinformation, especially on social media, is a challenge because sustainability depends on having a shared reality.” She urged publishers to “take responsibility for fact-checking and accuracy” and to “uphold the highest editorial standards,” referencing the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity as a framework for rebuilding truth in public discourse.
The panel demonstrated how the book business continues to grapple with multiple sustainability obstacles beyond environmental concerns. Rachel Martin of Elsevier noted that “currently, what we’re seeing is a massive political and economic pushback for climate action. Government and corporations are walking away from their climate commitments.” This retreat comes at a critical moment, as Martin pointed out that “2024 was the first full year we exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming,” highlighting the urgency of continued action despite growing resistance.
International Publishers Association president Gvantsa Jobava closed the session by emphasizing the publishing industry’s responsibility to serve as agents of positive change. “The publishing industry is a very powerful industry. We just need to use it properly,” Jobava said. “We don’t publish books just for business. Our ambition is to achieve change, to spread education, literacy, and critical thinking.” Her remarks connected the dots between information integrity, sustainability, and publishing’s broader social mission, suggesting that truthful, fact-based publishing is itself a form of environmental and social stewardship.
An AI Summit is also underway in Bologna, addressing copyright protection, creative work, and regulatory developments, while exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance industry processes like distribution and targeting. Speaking to the impact of these changes in tech, Belinda Rasmussen, president and publisher of the Walker Books Group, told PW, “I do think AI presents opportunities to us in giving service to our authors. We’ll never use AI to replace authors and illustrators. But could we use it to help promote deep backlist? Can it help with making printing decisions?” She said that drawing a clear distinction between creativity and efficiency will be crucial to protecting creators. “There are many levels to AI, and we need to decide where we’re going to draw the line.”
First—and Last—Impressions
The fair has also brought a flurry of deal-making and networking. Before the formal meetings officially kicked off, Stephen Barbara, a literary agent at Inkwell Management, said he chatted with Alessandra Balzer, senior VP and co-publisher of Balzer + Bray at Macmillan, to discuss a picture book at the bar of the Royal Hotel Carlton on Sunday night, just outside the traditional Penguin Random House party. “We hadn’t negotiated the book yet and we spared ourselves 10 emails. It was a fun way to start the fair, and kind of felt like the old days.”
Lora Fountain, who runs her own translation rights agency, was eager to share news about a first novel being agented by Sara Shandler, who recently joined the Book Group from Alloy Entertainment. “It’s the first thing Sara’s sent me, and her first book at the Book Group,” Fountain said. She said that scouts in New York were going “absolutely berserk” for the book, called Something Bright and Beautiful by Kathryn Free. She’s had interest and offers in Italy, France, Brazil, and other countries, and the book hasn’t been sold in the U.S. yet. “It makes for an exciting and exhausting fair!” she said.
This year’s fair has drawn its share of first-timers and veterans. Barbara Marcus, who recently announced that she will be stepping down on May 1 as president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books, said of attending her final fair, “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.”
Wendy Loggia is here for the first time, after being named publisher of Delacorte Press on the retirement of Beverly Horowitz. While the fair is what she’d expected, she said, “I’m just so surprised at how busy it is, at the hustle and bustle.” She also noted how the “proliferation of new adult has taken up some of the YA space. We’re getting pitched a lot of YA aimed at older readers, in their 20s, but I’m very comfortable being in the 14, 15, 16-year-old space.”
Children’s scout Rachel Hecht said she’s been heartened to hear about publishers “returning to true teen, true YA, to fill those shelves and meet those readers. It’s important to reach readers where they are.”
Jenn Gonzalez, who stepped into the role of senior VP and publisher of children’s books at Sourcebooks in February 2024, said there’s distinct and enlivening energy this year—what she estimates to be her 15th Bologna. Heather Moore, executive director of marketing, who is at BCBF for the first time, said, “With everything going on in the States, it’s a nice escape—a respite—to talk about kids’ books, and have a global perspective.”
Reaching Readers
The crisis in early literacy is front of mind for publishers. Rasmussen of Walker said, “I’m really concerned about children not reading. It’s really hitting middle grade.” She feels this puts the onus on publishers to look at publishing some books that are easier to read, and not as long. “Kids want to enjoy reading.” And Hecht said, “The pandemic learning gap is persisting. We want to foster kids as readers; maybe keep a closer eye on word count, have books that are shorter, more accessible, and less intimidating.”
Loggia said, “Middle grade is still difficult around the world. We’re telling people we’re seeing that we’re still looking for middle grade, but the right middle grade.”
Gonzalez of Sourcebooks has also noticed an emphasis on literacy, with the guiding question, “How do we keep kids reading?” To that end, the publishers is on the lookout for “fun and funny books that bring entertainment and joy.” They pointed to Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman, illustrated by Sarah Rebar, forthcoming from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in July, as an example.
Sourcebooks remains optimistic about breaking through to readers, saying the outlook is starting to look up for middle grade. A promising sign is the ramping up of submissions in that category. “Everything is cyclical,” Gonzalez said. “It will come back.”
New imprint Stonefruit Studio, helmed by editorial directors Ben Rosenthal and Mabel Hsu, debuts in summer 2026, and will cater in large part to middle grade readers. “We are particularly keen on bringing joy and fun to readers while bridging the literacy gap, so they’re especially focused on unique and hybrid formats, illustrated novels, graphic novels, and shorter page counts,” Rosenthal said in a recent conversation with PW.
The literacy discussion came into sharper focus on day two of BCBF, with a discussion dedicated to building better boy readers and leaders. Citing research on everything from academic performance to mental health, dropout statistics, and incarceration rates, panelists participating in “Where the Boys Are: The Right Books Can Make Them Heroes,” discussed the role publishers can play in addressing the troubling trends increasingly reported among in boys and young men. “As publishers, we are catalysts for change,” said Michiel Kolman, senior VP of Elsevier and chair of the Inclusive Publishing and Literacy Committee of the International Publishers Association. Panelists included Maria Russo, editor at large for Union Square Books, Francesca Cavallo, author of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and Stellar Stories for Boys of the Future, and Jonathan Simcosky, editor at Quarto/Quarry Books and publisher of Yes, Boys Can! Inspiring Stories of Men Who Changed the World by Jonathan Juravich and Richard Reeve. The panel was moderated by Porter Anderson, editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives.
Building Bridges
Literary translation and cross-cultural exchange—two themes at the heart of the Bologna Fair——were the focus of a lively panel that took place on Monday. “Being a Writer Who Translates and a Translator Who Writes” was moderated by Yuliia Kozlovets, director of the International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv, Ukraine, which organized the event. The featured speakers were Lawrence Schimel, author and bi-directional translator of English and Spanish; Kateryna Mikhalitsyna, Ukrainian author, translator, and poet; and Edward van de Vendel, Hans Christian Andersen Award and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award-nominated author, translator, and teacher in the Netherlands. The group discussed their work as authors and translators, and the ways in which their dual roles inform and enrich one another.
Politics loomed over the conversation. Reflecting on Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the increasingly isolationist and antagonistic role of the United States, “which is supposed to be our ally,” Mikhalitsyna said, “It’s good to be here and to think about translation and authorship.” Literature in translation, the panelists agreed, can form a vital bridge between languages, cultures, and nations.
Carrying on the topic of translation in a more jocular key, Jeff Kinney took part in a conversation with author, illustrator, and cartoonist Davide Calì on “Finding Funny Around the World,” and tapping into universal humor to create his worldwide blockbuster Wimpy Kid. The series has sold upwards of eight million copies in Italy alone; he said he feels a special connection to the country as it was the first that he visited outside of the U.S. on tour more than 12 years ago. Kinney shared his continued disbelief at his success. “It still feels like a big elaborate prank on me,” referencing The Truman Show. “The different translations are like a passport for me.” Traveling the world to share his book with young readers, he said, “I keep getting to level up as a person.”
The first day of the fair capped off on a celebratory note, with the announcement of the BOP - Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, at a ceremony at the historic Palazzo Re Enzo. Each year, BCBF honors publishers from six regions worldwide: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Oceania. The event included the presentation of the BolognaRagazzi Awards, with a special plaque given to Gallimard Jeunesse, founded by Pierre Marchand. A party featuring live music, and plenty of pasta and prosecco, followed.
