The BCBF BolognaRagazzi Awards - BRAW - are an international showcase for the world’s finest, most innovative picturebooks.
Adjudicated by international juries made up of experts from the publishing world, the Awards acknowledge excellence of graphic design, innovation and ability to engage with young readers.
Some of the most sought-after awards in children’s publishing, the BRAW are also a great business opportunity for the winners. An award or special mention help drive copyright sales on the international market, focusing world attention on the publishers, authors and illustrators involved. Visibility is also sustained by BCBF’s far-reaching promotion not only of the contest and winners during the Fair and online but also of a broad selection of the best 100 titles, with a special exhibition entitled The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf during the Fair.
The BRAW comprise five main categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Opera Prima (debut works by authors and illustrators), Comics (comic books and graphic novels), and Toddler. Juries may also assign a special New Horizons award to a particularly innovative work. In addition, each year, one or more Special Award categories are created alongside the main sections.
The 2025 Special BolognaRagazzi Awards category is dedicated to the sustainability.
As is the longstanding tradition, all the winning books will be added to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Collection dating back to 1966 and held by Bologna’s Salaborsa Children’s Library.
2025 Special Category: Sustainability
In line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals Book Club, BCBF is dedicating the special category of the 2025 BolognaRagazzi Awards to Sustainability. Nominated books should explore one or more themes related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on Land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals.