Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026 Opens for Entries

BCBF 2026 opens submissions for awards, illustrators' exhibition, and CrossMedia prizes. Events in Bologna and Shanghai highlight global children’s publishing.

on Aug 04, 2025

Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026 Opens for Entries

A variety of programs is in store for the 63rd edition of Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF), scheduled to be held from 13 to 16 April 2026 at the BolognaFiere convention center in Italy, and China edition in Shanghai from 14 to 16 November 2025.

Leading the pack are the BolognaRagazzi (BRAW) Awards, a global platform for the world's most talented, most creative picture books and one of the most coveted awards in children's book publishing. The competition is open now, free to enter, and is open to all publishers, not just those exhibiting at BCBF.

In addition to the usual genres - fiction, non-fiction, opera prima, comics (graphic novels and comic books), and toddler this year, there is also a special category to be added for fables and fairy tales. Publishers have until 31 January 2026 to submit their entries.

As a long-standing tradition, all the winning titles will be included in the Children's Book Fair Collection dating back to 1966 and preserved by Bologna's Salaborsa Children's Library.

And finally, there are the BolognaRagazzi Crossmedia Awards, to outstanding works which translate stories from page to screen (or vice versa) and digital products and platforms which provide wonderful online reading experiences.

Decided by a foreign jury, the prizes consist of two sections-CrossMedia Projects and Digital Reading Experiences. A special section on gender balance and environmental sustainability is being introduced for the edition of 2026. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2026.

CrossMedia Awards are organized in collaboration with the Mamamò Association. For more information, write to bolognaragazzicrossmediaward@bolognafiere.it

The BolognaRagazzi Awards are an international stage for the world's most outstanding, most innovative picture books and one of children's publishing's most coveted honors.

Submissions are also invited for the Illustrators Exhibition, a unique chance to bring the art of both well-known and up-and-coming artists to the notice of industry professionals during the fair and in the months ahead. In 2026, the fair will mark the 60th anniversary of the exhibition.

After the Children's Book Fair, the exhibition will tour for two years, visiting Japan (in co-operation with JBBY), Korea, China, and other destinations. 3 November 2025 is the deadline for application. Further information here.

The China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair from 14-16 November 2025 is now open for registrations. There is a visa-free policy for some countries, which is available up to the end of this year, so you can travel to China with your passport only.