The CCBF events programme is the vibrant heart of the fair: an international stage that brings together leading voices from the publishing world, both from China and across the globe.
Through panels, talks, roundtables, and special sessions, the programme delves into key topics related to children's publishing, with a strong focus on global trends, rights trading, editorial creativity, and the promotion of original Chinese-language picture books.
Alongside the professional content, CCBF also hosts a rich array of initiatives dedicated to the fair’s wider community, including the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, the Illustrator Avenue exhibition area for creative talents, and the international Children Plus exhibition.
A unique opportunity to discover, exchange ideas, and connect with the very best in children’s publishing—within a dynamic and ever-evolving context
The next Children Plus edition will be entitled:
"COMICS: Exploring the World, One Bubble at a Time – Stories for Reading, Learning, Imagining."
When we think of comics, we often associate them with lighthearted fun, playful drawings, and thrilling adventures. But comics are much more than just entertainment: they are a powerful language, capable of speaking to children and young readers in ways that are immediate, engaging, and profoundly educational.
This exhibition celebrates comics both as an art form and as a tool for learning. It invites children, families, and educators to rediscover the beauty and value of stories told through panels, to explore new languages and cultures, and to recognize comics as a bridge between imagination and knowledge.
Let’s open a comic book—and open a door to the world.
In the coming weeks, we will unveil a preview of the 2025 events programme. Among the confirmed guests, we are pleased to highlight some outstanding names: Sydney Smith (Canada), winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration in 2024 and author of numerous award-winning books, and Yoshitake Shinsuke (Japan), one of the most renowned contemporary Japanese illustrators, recipient of the 2017 BolognaRagazzi Award, as well as the MOE Award and the Sankei Arts for Children Award.
A key guest this year will also be Norway, featured with a collective stand organized by NORLA − Norwegian Literature Abroad. The country will officially announce from Shanghai its participation as Guest of Honour at BCBF 2026, offering a sneak peek at the initiatives that will take center stage in Bologna. Among the distinguished Norwegian guests: Marianne Gretteberg Engedal and Øyvind Torseter.
Stay tuned to discover the full programme and all the surprises coming your way!
Last June, the 2024 edition of the Golden Pinwheel International Young Illustrators Competition received a total of 2,828 submissions from 78 countries and regions across six continents—2,189 in the Book Publishing category and 639 in the Commercial category.
Since June 19, the competition has entered an intense judging phase to determine the finalists. The jury, composed of eight renowned professionals from diverse industry backgrounds, includes A Geng (China), Namjung Kim (Republic of Korea), Alessandro Sanna (Italy), Leo Timmers (Belgium), and Wei Ling (China) for the Book Publishing category, and Steven Guarnaccia (USA), Li Min (China), and Birthe Steinbeck (Germany) for the Commercial category.
Stay tuned for the announcement of all finalist illustrators on September 4!
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