Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi 2025

The winners of the tenth edition of the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi are:

6+ Category
Sara Marconi, I sogni di Yume (Lapis Edizioni), illustrato da Anna Curti. 

8+ Category
Luca Tortolini, Un desiderio al giorno (Mondadori), illustrato da Giulia Vetri.

11+ Category 
Jacqueline Woodson, Proteggimi (Fandango Libri), tradotto da Chiara Baffa.

BEST NARRATIVE IN PICTURES CATEGORY 
Niente draghi per Celeste, by Ole Könnecke and Nikolaus Heidelbach, translated by Chiara Belliti (Beisler).

The picture book by Heidelbach and Könnecke is both amusing and surprising, characterised by a dual visual register that allows the authors to experiment with a hybrid and complex textual form, remarkably original, based on a fascinating dialogue between expressive languages: comics and illustration. The simplicity of the plot – with a brother tasked with looking after his little sister while the parents attend a party at the neighbours’ house and putting her to bed – turns into a small domestic adventure, where reality and imagination, everyday life and the fantastical find a perfect balance through the encounter and clash between Könnecke’s comic strips, lively in their dialogue and wonderfully expressive in portraying the siblings’ personalities, and Heidelbach’s unsettling pages, where Boris’s frightening fantasies are confronted by the irreverent mockery of the wild and untameable Celeste. A splendid book both in terms of storytelling and visual style, revealing a clear and heartfelt view of childhood from the authors, who portray it with honesty and tenderness, embracing and respecting all its complex facets.

A special mention was awarded to Neil Packer for La parabola del panificio indipendente, translated by Sara Saorin (Camelozampa).

BEST DEBUT BOOK CATEGORY 
Gatto Mo e gli amici del bosco, by Yeonju Choi, translated by Giuliana Parziale (Feltrinelli).

Gatto Mo e gli amici del bosco is a sweet, simple and profound tale that guides young readers on a journey of growth and discovery. Through a symbolic path in the woods, Gatto Mo meets various characters who help him face his fears – first and foremost, the fear of the unknown, represented by a bear feared by all but actually harmless. Each encounter becomes an opportunity for reflection, courage and hope, marking an important step in the protagonist’s path toward maturity. The narrative style is straightforward and accessible, enriched by illustrations inspired by the author’s real-life cat, which make the story even more engaging. A tender and compelling book, perfect for young readers in search of heartfelt stories.