63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair: four days of illustration and

63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair: a hub for children's illustration

When: April 13–16, 2026
Where: BolognaFiere, Bologna, Italy

The 63rd edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) gathers publishing professionals, illustrators and authors to promote international rights exchange and creative projects for children and young readers. The fair remains a leading showcase for illustration and children’s content worldwide.

Highlights and program

• Illustrators Exhibition: celebrating sixty years of selecting and promoting outstanding illustration talent from across the globe.
• BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus): an area for general publishing with awards, exhibitions and professional training on book design and rights management.
• Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/Kids): dedicated to licensing and brand development for children and youth, featuring over 800 brands.
• Designer Studio and WritersLab: new spaces for creative experimentation and collaboration among illustrators, designers and writers.
• Guest Country program: Norway presents the "What if?" exhibition and a full schedule of talks and meetings about Norwegian children's publishing and illustration.

Guests and anniversaries

The fair hosts prominent international authors and illustrators and marks several cultural milestones, including 200 years since Carlo Collodi and the 60th anniversary of the Illustrators Exhibition. The program features leading contemporary illustrators and writers relevant to both trade and general audiences.

Why attend

• Networking opportunities and international rights deals.
• Exposure for new publishing projects and emerging illustrators.
• Training sessions on current topics: book design, audio publishing and AI applications in publishing.

For practical information on tickets, schedules and the full program, consult the event’s official channels.