Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi 2026

For the eleventh edition of the Strega Prize Ragazze e Ragazzi the Best Narrative in Pictures category returns to the fair for its fifth year. The category was created to foster dialogue between the Strega Prize and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and to recognize excellence in the field of picture books. The selection committee, composed of Anna Castagnoli, Diletta Colombo, and Emilio Varrà, has selected the three finalists from the 49 titles submitted by publishers:

Beatrice Alemagna, Her Muddy Majesty of Muck (Topipittori)
Nicolas Digard, Myriam Dahman, The Owl Witch (Gallucci editore), translation by Clara Serretta, illustrations by Júlia Sardà
Ziggy Hanaor, Life (As We Know It), (Quinto Quarto), translation by Gioia Guerzoni, illustrations by Cristóbal Schmal

For the first time, the prize for the Debut Book, now in its sixth edition, will also be presented in Bologna. The selection committees for the 6+, 8+, and 11+ categories, which are composed of Alessandro Barbaglia, Simonetta Bitasi, Lorenzo Cantatore, Tania Coleti, Mariella Greco, Vittorio Macioce, Marcella Terrusi, and Maddalena Vaglio Tanet, have shortlisted the following three titles:

Leonardo Ligustri, Il grande viaggio di Larry [Larry’s Great Voyage], (Giunti Editore) – 6+ category
Helena Hedlund, The Best Thing About Kerstin (La Nuova Frontiera Junior), translation by Samanta K. Milton Knowles, illustrations by Katarina Strömgård – 8+ category
Antonio Carmona, Non si dice sayonara [We Don’t Say Sayonara], (Emons Edizioni), translation by Mirta Cimmino – 11+ category

The winning books in the two categories will be announced during the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026 (April 15, 2:40pm–3:30pm, The Illustrators Café). The authors will receive a cash prize and an equivalent amount will also be given to the illustrator, for the Best Narrative in Pictures category, if different from the author, and to the translator for the Debut Book category in the case of translated works. The prizes are offered by BolognaFiere and Strega Alberti Benevento.

During the event in Bologna, the initial selections for the 6+, 8+, and 11+ categories will also be announced. The complete list of nominated titles is available on the premiostrega.it website.

The finalists in each award category

Category 6+:

Maria José Ferrada and Issa Watanabe, La scuola degli animali (The School of Animals) (Topipittori), translated by Marta Rota Nuñez
Stefanie Höfler and Philip Waetchter, Ada e le formiche nella pancia (Ada and the Ants in Her Belly) (uovonero), translated by Anna Patrucco Becchi
Laura Imai Messina, L'ospedale dei giocattoli (The Toy Hospital) (Salani)

Category 8+:

Lena Frölander-Ulf, Lotte Pelomatto (Lotte Hairyhead) (Iperborea), translated by Laura Cangemi
Espérance Hakuzwimana, MentiRosa. Storia di una bambina che inventava la verità (PinkLies. Story of a Girl Who Invented the Truth) (Mondadori)
Guus Kuijer, Florian (Camelozampa), translated by Valentina Freschi
Germano Zullo and Albertine, Non tutte le barche prendono il mare (Not All Boats Set Sail) (Timpetill), translated by Beatrice Masini

Category 11+:

Antonio Carmona, Non si dice sayonara (We Don’t Say Sayonara) (Emons Edizioni), translated by Mirta Cimmino
Vinko Möderndorfer, Una balena in spiaggia (A Whale on the Beach) (besa muci), translated by Lucia Gaja Scuteri
Ali Standish, Yonder. Per sognare un mondo senza guerra (Yonder. Dreaming of a World Without War) (Mondadori), translated by Anna Carbone

Best Narrative in Pictures:

Beatrice Alemagna, Sua Altezza Poltiglia. Principessa di fango (Her Muddy Majesty of Muck) (Topipittori)
Nicolas Digard, Myriam Dahman, La strega civetta (The Owl Witch) (Gallucci editore), translated by Clara Serretta, illustrations by Júlia Sardà
Hanaor, Bang! (La vita per quel che ne sappiamo) (Bang! (Life as We Know It)) (Quinto Quarto), translated by Gioia Guerzoni, illustrations by Cristóbal Schmal

Debut Book:

Leonardo Ligustri, Il grande viaggio di Larry (Larry’s Great Journey) (Giunti Editore) – Category 6+
Helena Hedlund, Il bello di Kerstin (What’s Wonderful About Kerstin) (La Nuova Frontiera Junior), translated by Samanta K. Milton Knowles, illustrations by Katarina Strömgård – Category 8+
Antonio Carmona, Non si dice sayonara (We Don’t Say Sayonara) (Emons Edizioni), translated by Mirta Cimmino – Category 11+