Exhibiting at Bologna Children’s Book Fair
#NewsThe Japan Foundation (JF) and the Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY) will have a joint booth at the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair in March 2025 in Bologna, Italy. The booth will exhibit children’s books, including recent picture books and storybooks, as well as long-selling titles, to present the current children’s book industry that may attract overseas publishers, translators, and illustrators.
1. About Bologna Children’s Book Fair
A book fair specializing in children’s books is held every spring in Bologna, Italy. This largest international children’s book fair was inaugurated in 1964 and has since welcomed people involved in publishing children’s books from all over the world. Approximately 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions will attend the 62nd fair, which will take place in March 2025.
[The 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair]
Dates: March 31 – April 3, 2025
Official website: https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/home/878.html
2. The JF/JBBY joint booth (Hall 29 C15)
JF/JBBY will exhibit Japanese children’s books in the following categories as well as Japanese illustrator’s portfolios:
(1) What’s New? Picture Books You Don’t Want to Miss
(2) For Infants and Very Young Children
(3) Chapter Books and Novels for Young People
(4) HCAA 2026 Nominees from Japan
(5) An Exhibition of Illustrators Portfolios
We will give out a tabloid-sized leaflet summarizing information on the books exhibited.
At the fair and the booth, we will also host various lectures on Japanese children’s books and portfolio reviews.
Events
March 31, Monday
14:00–15:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
“Portfolio Review” by Iizuka Yukiko, foreign rights manager and editor, Sekai Bunka Sha Group
15:00–16:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
“Portfolio Review” by Kimura Makoto, editor, Gakken
April 1, Tuesday
10.30–11.20 BCBF The Next Chapter Café Hall 29
“Where Happiness Is” Critic Hiromatsu Yukiko Shares Some Secrets about Baby Books in Japan
Panelist: Hiromatsu Yukiko, picture book writer, critic, and independent curator
12:00–13:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
“Portfolio Review” by Kakinokihara Masahiro, art director
14:00–15:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
“A Guided Tour through Japanese Picture Books,” by Hiromatsu Yukiko and Kakinokihara Masahiro
17:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C15
Opening Reception and Announcement of the Bologna JBBY Portfolio Award Winner
April 2, Wednesday
12:00–12:30 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
Kamishibai
Performer: Nozaka Etsuko, translator, founding member of the International Kamishibai Association of Japan (IKAJA)
14:30–15:20 BCBF The Next Chapter Café Hall 29
“Winds from the East”: A Selection of Picture Books from Southeast-Asian Countries
16:15–17:00 BCBF Survival Corner Hall 30
How to Present Yourself to the Japanese Book Market
Speaker: Takano Naoko, Editor, International Publishing Coordinator
April 3, Thursday
12:30–15:00 BCBF Translator’s Café Hall 30
Japanese Picture Book Translation Workshop 2025: Baby Books
for Translators, Editors and Japan Lovers
Speakers: Maria Elena Tisi, University of Bologna/ Moriizumi Ayami, researcher