The Content Café

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Manga developed in Japan as a form of entertainment for readers of all ages, evolving alongside the growth of children’s literature. Today, these two worlds are increasingly intersecting and influencing one another. During this event, Japanese manga artists and editors active in both Japan and Europe will explore the distinctive visual languages that characterize comics and manga, discussing their differences, shared influences, and the unique forms of expression that make these mediums so compelling.

Moderatore

Yukiko Hiromatsu, picture book author, critic, independent curator

Panel

Keiko Ichiguchi, manga artist, writer, Japan; Andrea Baricordi, editor, writer, Italy; Noemi Kawasaki, editor, Kodansha Manga Academy, Japan.

Organizzato da

Japan Foundation, JBBY

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

What makes a comic series a global phenomenon? Jamie Smart ( Bunny vs Monkey ), and Diane Le Feyer ("Mortelle Adèle") discuss the creation of serial narrative universes. From visual styles to the management of comic rhythm, an international dialogue on the new frontiers of serial comics.

Moderatore

Elisabetta Mongardi, Hamelin, Italy

Panel

Jamie Smart, fumettista, UK; Diane Le Feyer, sceneggiatrice, Francia.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Con il sostegno di

David Flicking Books, Edi8

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

AWARDS & CONTESTS

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Mamamò

ITA

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

AWARDS & CONTESTS

Uno sguardo alla produzione editoriale dell'anno: le scelte della Giuria del "Premio Andersen-il mondo dell'infanzia", aspettando la proclamazione dei vincitori sabato 23 maggio a Genova.

Organizzato da

Andersen-La rivista e il premio dei libri per ragazzi

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

AWARDS & CONTESTS

Moderatore

Emilio Varrà, Presidente, Hamelin

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ITA/ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

AWARDS & CONTESTS

Annuncio dei finalisti della 13a edizione del Silent Book Contest-Gianni De Conno Award, il primo concorso internazionale dedicato ai libri senza parole. Nell'occasione, sarà premiato anche il vincitore del Silent Book Contest Junior 2025, la sezione del premio in cui a decretare il vincitore sono classi di bambini da Italia, Stati Uniti, Cina e Giappone.

Moderatore

Patrizia Zerbi, Editrice e Direttrice Editoriale, Carthusia Edizioni, Italia

Panel

Elena Pasoli, Direttrice, Bologna Children's Book Fair, Italia; Walter Fochesato, Presidente, Giuria Internazionale Silent Book Contest, Italia; Sara Wang, CEO, Niu Niu Culture Limited, Cina; Eros Miari, formatore, Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, Italia; Chiara Bidoli, Direttrice delle testate area infanzia, Rcs MediaGroup, Italia; Emanuela Bussolati, illustratrice, Italia; Costanza De Conno, Segreteria organizzativa, Silent Book Contest, Italia.

Organizzato da

Carthusia Edizioni

In collaborazione con

Bologna Children's Book Fair, Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, Comune di Mulazzo

Con il sostegno di

BPER Banca

Con il patrocinio di

IBBY Italy

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Organizzato da

China Publishers

In collaborazione con

Bologna Children's Book Fair

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Tackling difficult topics in children’s publishing has always required courage, but today the challenges and opportunities have changed. Readers are more open to honest conversations, while publishers face both creative and commercial choices when approaching sensitive themes. This panel brings together editors, illustrators, and experts to explore the role of courage in children’s literature, from editorial responsibility and expert consultation to the power of illustration and the ways adults support young readers. Together we will reflect on how carefully considered publishing choices shape stories that matter, spark meaningful conversations, and highlight the power of brave books to inspire and connect.

Moderatore

Valentina Stoeva, Founder and Chairperson, Children’s Books Foundation, Co-chair EURead, Bulgaria

Panel

Taylor Norman, Editorial Director, Neal Porter Books, USA; Matthew Parkinson Bennett, CEO and Publisher, Little Island Books, Ireland; Anita Wincencjusz-Patyna, Assistant Professor, The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design, Poland.

Organizzato da

The Polish Book Institute

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

The Lexicon of Genocide is a book that will be published in both Arabic and English and It is the outcome of writing and drawing paths carried out with children in northern and central Gaza during the genocide, and siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. The Lexicon of Genocide is not a linguistic dictionary in the traditional sense, but rather a record of vocabulary that grew among the rubble and turned into an intimate detail from the diaries of children of Gaza. It is an attempt to understand children's language when it expresses fear, loss, and waiting, and when it is no longer able to reshape the life that is snatched from their hands and reformulated again. The book is now in the design phase and will be printed and distributed among community libraries soon.

Panel

Renad Qubbaj, General Director, Tamer Institute for Community Education, Palestine.

Organizzato da

Tamer Institute for Community Education

Centro Servizi

Centro Servizi

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Apertura e iscrizioni al tour da sabato 21 marzo, ore 9:00

Info per partecipare

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

Beyond the boundaries of traditional manga: a journey to discover the “new wave” of Asian comics. Independent and visionary publishers from Japan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines discuss experimentation, digital storytelling, and new market models.

Moderatore

Kuo-Yu Liang, Founder and President, Ku Worlwide

Panel

Quynh Than, Du Bút Books, Vietnam; Toni Velasco, Black Ink, Filippine; Kunihiro Mishima, Founder, Mishimasha, Japan.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

NORWAY GUEST OF HONOUR

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

An immersion in the Norwegian comics scene, among the most innovative in Europe. Some of its protagonists recount the evolution of this language, from author graphic novels to comics for children. Amid Nordic atmospheres, humor, and visual experimentation, we discover why Norway is one of the new laboratories of visual storytelling.

Moderatore

Hans Ivar Stordal, comics editor, Strand Forlag, Norway

Panel

Nora Dåsnes, cartoonist, Norway; Kjersti Sinneva Moen, cartoonist, Norway; Håkon Strand, Founder, Strand Comics, Norway; Tonje Tornes, editor, TNT, Norway.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Con il sostegno di

NORLA - Norwegian Literature Abroad

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Visual storytelling has become increasingly popular, varied, and sophisticated: one finds a huge variety of styles, and topics, including challenging socio-political themes and funny ones. With its various possibilities of picture-text-combinations, visual storytelling can offer new approaches, create high artistic values, and attract new readers. So it’s really a superpower! Yet how is this superpower created and how does it work exactly? Norwegian comic book artist Nora Dåsnes, Hilde Kramer, Professor of Illustration at The Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books, Kibitz publisher Michael Groenewald, and Ines Galling (both Germany) will discuss these questions at this year’s White Ravens Panel, hosted by the International Youth Library and The Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books.

Moderatore

Ines Galling, language specialist for German and Scandinavian children's literature, International Youth Library, Germany

Panel

Nora Dåsnes, comic book artist, Norway; Hilde Kramer, Professor of Illustration, The Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books, Norway; Michael Groenewald, Publisher, Kibitz Publishing, Germany.

Organizzato da

International Youth Library

In collaborazione con

The Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books

Con il sostegno di

Bologna Children's Book Fair

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

How do we capture the attention of young readers in an ever-changing media landscape? This panel brings together a diverse group of publishers to explore the strengths and challenges of long-running series and standalone graphic novels. From indie to industry giants, our guests will discuss how narrative formats and distribution strategies are evolving to build a new generation of comic book readers.

Moderatore

Nicola Peruzzi, Panini Comics, Italy

Panel

Zachary Clemente, Founder and Publisher, Bulgilhan Press, USA; Tucker Stone, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, Fantagraphics Books, USA; Patrick Crotty, Founder and Publisher, Peow! Studio, USA.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

This session focuses on how children’s books can help reimagine the ways nature is experienced and understood, particularly from the perspective of visually impaired individuals. Through a tactile storytelling approach that combines narrative and traditional embroidery, the discussion highlights how touch, imagination, and sensory exploration can open new paths for children to connect with nature. Emphasizing empathy, ecological awareness, and inclusivity, the event explores how storytelling can create meaningful opportunities for children to understand nature beyond sight.

Moderatore

Semra Alkan, pedagog, Multibem Publishing, Turkey

Panel

Berrin Tercan, author, Multibem Publishing, Turkey; Özgül Önalan, illustrator, Multibem Publishing, Turkey.

Organizzato da

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye

ITA

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

L’evento approfondirà il lavoro redazionale in una casa editrice di fumetti, includendo attività come editing, traduzione, progettazione grafica e curatela editoriale.

Moderatore

Enrico Fornaroli, Direttore, Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna

Panel

Alessandro Gucciardo, Direttore Artistico, Panini Comics, Italia; Marco Amici e Davide Astegiano, consulenti editoriali, Oscar INK Mondadori, Italia; Lorenzo Raggioli, editor, Comicon Edizioni, Italia.

Organizzato da

Commissione Comics e Graphic Novels di AIE - Associazione Italiana Editori

ITA/ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

Alcuni dei fumetti per bambini di maggior successo oggi nascono da una voce unica e indipendente. Dalla rivoluzione di Gigaciao al fascino autoriale di Sabine Lemire e Rasmus Bregnhøi, questo incontro esplora il percorso per portare contenuti originali e sofisticati a un grande pubblico.

Moderatore

Elisabetta Mongardi, Hamelin, Italia

Panel

Lorenzo La Neve, Art Director, Gigaciao, Italia; Sabine Lemire, autrice, Danimarca; Rasmus Bregnhøi, fumettista, Danimarca.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin, Sinnos, Gigaciao

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

NORWAY GUEST OF HONOUR

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

We are witnessing a decline in reading motivation and literacy among children and young people. To address this, Norway has launched a national reading strategy and a major reading initiative and appointed a reading commission with the ambition of making children in Norway among the world’s strongest readers. What will determine success?

Moderatore

Siri Risdal, Senior Advisor Rogaland Library, Norway

Panel

Marit Borkenhagen, Director, The Norwegian Festival of Literature, Norway; Trine Skei Grande, Director, Norwegian Publishers' Association, Norway; Maja Lunde, author, Norway; Bente Estil, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on Family and Cultural Affairs, Norway.

Organizzato da

NORLA − Norwegian Literature Abroad, The Norwegian Festival of Literature

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Featuring internationally renowned illustrators Geneviève Després, Matt James, Pierre Pratt and Sydney Smith, and moderated by Simon de Jocas, this panel discussion will explore the influence of Canadian geography on personal artistic practice, cultural storytelling across Canada’s diverse regions, the search for our root systems in a North American context, and the creation of a vibrant community of illustrators in Canada.

Moderatore

Simon de Jocas, Publishing Consultant, Canada

Panel

Geneviève Després, illustrator, Canada; Matt James, illustrator, Canada; Sydney Smith, illustrator, Canada; Pierre Pratt, illustrator, Canada.

Organizzato da

IBBY Canada

In collaborazione con

IBBY-International Board on Books for Young People

ITA/ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

IMPOSSIBILI: un movimento internazionale, senza confini, di artisti del libro per l'infanzia e l'adolescenza. In questo crocevia di realtà e prospettive, gli emisferi si incontrano, i fusi orari si intrecciano e l’impossibile comincia a farsi strada, dando libero spazio alle voci attive di chi sta dietro ai libri. Una confluenza per dare visibilità ad artisti diversi in tutto il mondo e per promuovere libri per l’infanzia e per giovani adulti di qualità, oltre le tendenze commerciali. Non è impossibile affermare che le narrazioni scritte e visive per l’infanzia costituiscano uno spazio in cui la libertà di espressione, l’interazione del pensiero critico, la giustizia sociale e la diversità culturale convergono. È un luogo da cui si può mettere in discussione ciò che è consolidato, raccontare altre realtà, celebrare l’immaginazione e la creatività e sognare, attraverso le opere, altri mondi possibili, raggiungendo bambine e bambini ovunque. Qui i bambini sono riconosciuti come esseri filosofici e poetici, lettori critici e creativi, partecipanti attivi e creatori delle proprie storie e narrazioni, capaci di immaginare, interrogare e costruire mondi possibili.

Moderatore

Adolfo Córdova, scrittore, giornalista, blog Linternas y Bosques, Messico

Panel

Ali Boozari, illustratore, ricercatore, Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA; Eboni Waitere, scrittrice, Direttrice, Huia Publishers, Nuova Zelanda; Laura Erber, scrittrice, editrice, coordinatrice dei partenariati globali e dei programmi di fellowship, International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Paesi Bassi; Mingzhou Zhang, scrittore, specialista, Life Tree Books, Cina; Paloma Valdivia, illustratrice, Fondatrice, Ediciones Liebre, Cile; Roger Mello, illustratore, regista teatrale, Capa Dura em Cingapura, Brasile; Volnei Canônica, scrittore, promotore della lettura, Instituto de Leitura Quindim, Brasile.

Organizzato da

IMPOSSIBILI

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Some books are born travelers, while others are homebodies. Why do certain titles reach readers across multiple international markets and become global hits, while others—even at the highest artistic level—remain local treasures? In this panel, publishing experts explore what helps a book travel across borders—from cultural resonance and translation to promotion strategies and market insight. They will discuss how some stories find their way around the world, while others prefer the comfort of familiar shelves, offering practical insights for publishers looking to give their books the wings to explore new horizons.

Moderatore

Steven Guarnaccia, illustrator, designer, USA

Panel

Jadwiga Jędryas, Co-founder and Publisher, Dwie Siostry, Poland; Camille Vasseur, Publisher, Éditions La Partie, France; Hans Petter Bakketeig, literary agent, Stilton Literary Agency, Norway.

Organizzato da

The Polish Book Institute

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

What impact does an artist residency have on the creation of a picture book? Isabelle Arsenault recounts her experience with Leporello, Sophie Blackall shares her Milkwood project, and Lynn Caponera presents the vision of the Maurice Sendak Foundation. A discussion on how these special places protect and stimulate artistic research.

Moderatore

Ilaria Tontardini, Hamelin, Italy

Panel

Isabelle Arsenault, illustrator and Founder, Leporello, France; Sophie Blackall, illustrator, author and Founder, Milkwood, USA; Lynn Caponera, Executive Director, The Maurice Sendak Foundation, USA.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Con il sostegno di

Editrice Il Castoro, Leporello, The Maurice Sendak Foundation

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

The 6-10 age group represents a turning point: the moment when reading becomes a solitary and conscious activity. In this panel, publishers and artists with different approaches discuss how comics can support this transition and speak to those who are discovering the pleasure of reading 'like a grown-up’.

Moderatore

Elisabetta Mongardi, Hamelin, Italy

Panel

Liliana Cupido, curator, Canicola, Italy; Arthur Derrouaz, Rights Manager, Jungle, France; Yolanda Dib Cabello, Head of Marketing, International Rights Sales, Grafito Editorial, Spain; Antoine Dole, artist, France.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Organizzato da

China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation

In collaborazione con

Lifetree Culture Promotion Center

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

In anticipation of Poland as Guest of Honor 2027, a panel dedicated to the effervescence of contemporary Polish comics with some of its most representative new artists.

Moderatore

Szymon Holcman, Head of PR Department, Kultura Gniewu, Poland

Panel

Przemek Trusciński, cartoonist, Poland; Jacek Świdziński, cartoonist, Poland; Tomasz Kontny, cartoonist, Poland; Krzysztof Gawronkiewicz, cartoonist, Poland.

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin, Book Institute Poland

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

COMICS CORNER

A portrait of artist Barbara Yelin, one of the most powerful voices in European graphic novels. The German author explores the folds of memory and identity through mature and expressive illustrations. A dialogue to discover her research method and her unique ability to transform history into intimate and universal narratives.

Moderatore

Alberto Falco,Hamelin, Italy

Panel

Barbara Yelin, cartoonist, Germany

Organizzato da

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In collaborazione con

Hamelin, Reprodukt, Istituto Storico Parri, Accademia Tedesca Roma Villa Massimo

Con il sostegno di

Goethe-Institut Roma

Nell'ambito di

Comics Corner

ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

This panel brings together SDG Book Club chapters to discuss why stories about climate action and conflict resolution are more essential than ever, and how young readers benefit from understanding sustainability, peace, and justice early on. With book bans on the rise, panelists will explore how SDG Book Clubs can support one another in keeping sustainability at the core of children’s learning everywhere. Speakers will share their experiences as publishers and SDG Book Club organizers in a fast-changing landscape and what has helped them to continue advocating for action toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Organizzato da

UN Publications, IPA-International Publishers Association

ITA/ENG

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

AWARDS & CONTESTS

Inaugurazione della mostra ufficiale e contestuale annuncio dei vincitori della 4ª edizione di BOit! Concorso Internazionale d’Illustrazione. Un’occasione per scoprire le 30 opere selezionate e celebrare i progetti premiati di questa nuova edizione. BOit! nasce per promuovere il lavoro creativo, sostenere la crescita professionale e favorire lo scambio internazionale tra illustratrici e illustratori. Ogni anno i partecipanti interpretano una sagoma e un tema ispirati a Bologna come punto di partenza per riflettere su questioni di respiro universale. La IV edizione indaga il legame profondo tra acqua e città, esplorando il rapporto tra risorsa naturale e tessuto urbano, con uno sguardo che abbraccia il mondo intero. La mostra debutta in anteprima internazionale alla BCBF.

Moderatore

Carlotta Artioli, PR ed Event Manager, BOit! Concorso Internazionale di illustrazione, Italia; Sara Bernardi, Direttrice Creativa, BOit! Concorso Internazionale di illustrazione, Italia.

Panel

I vincitori della quarta edizione del concorso, che verranno annunciati durante l'evento.

Organizzato da

BOit! Concorso Internazionale di illustrazione promosso da Associazione Altrove

In collaborazione con

Autori D’Immagini, Cunegunde APS, Astronave Lab, Civico32

Con il sostegno di

Bologna Children's Book Fair

Con il patrocinio di

Comune di Bologna, Canali di Bologna

Centro Servizi

Centro Servizi

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Apertura e iscrizioni al tour da sabato 21 marzo, ore 9:00

Info per partecipare

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Come far frequentare la letteratura per l’infanzia ai bambini e alle bambine quotidianamente? Partendo dall’esperienza in classe, Cunegunde propone suggestioni per costruire un personale picnic di letture da portare a scuola dopo la BCBF: albi illustrati, narrativa, poesia e non fiction da leggere insieme, con suggerimenti di setting, modalità di lettura ad alta voce e possibili proposte evocative. Un tempo per raccogliere spunti, titoli e piccoli “bottini di fiera” da portare con sé in aula.

Organizzato da

Cunegunde APS

ITA

The Content Café

HALL 30

THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Storie illustrate raccontate con il kamishibai, antico e affascinante metodo di narrazione giapponese.

Panel

Mauro Speraggi, Editore, Edizioni Artebambini, Italia; Paola Ciarcià, Editrice, Edizioni Artebambini, Italia.

Organizzato da

Edizioni Artebambini snc

In collaborazione con

AKI-Associazione Kamishibai Italia