2023 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Post Show Report
Following, please find a general overview of the 2023 Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), in addition to comments from the show floor and Foreword’s Indie Press Collective. Many titles on display in our stand received attention from foreign publishers and agents.
Part I: The Fair
The Children’s Book Fair is an annual event at the Bologna Fiere Exhibition Center located just outside the city center. Nearby are some of the buildings of the University of Bologna, considered to be the oldest university in the Western world (founded in 1088). This year’s fair was its 60th edition, taking place from the sixth to the ninth of March (Monday through Thursday).
Greece was the Market of Honor focus this year providing much deserved recognition of their breathtaking cultural, historical, and literary standing among nations. The Greek presence was made possible by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports in partnership with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture. A total of sixty four publishers made the trip across the Adriatic to display their books at the BCBF. Greece’s publishing industry does upwards of $1.6 billion in business a year, with more than 1500 bookstores dotting the mainland and isles.
Held in conjunction with the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids and a new Italian Publishers Association event called BolognaBookPlus, which reaches into general trade publishing, BCBF is far and away the most important international event for children’s publishing, attracting a variety of industry professionals including publishers, authors, illustrators, graphic designers, translators, literary agents, TV/film producers (we had visits from both Nickelodeon and Paramount producers), licensees/licensors, printers, packagers, distributors, teachers, and librarians.
This year’s BCBF drew 28,894-plus trade professionals (up from just over 21,000 in 2022). The exhibitor contingent exceeded 1,456 publishing-related companies from 90 countries, (up 35% from 2022). The fair also hosted 325 live events over the four days, and more than 260 other events around the city of Bologna and surrounding areas. In fact, one of our authors attended an early childhood learning program in Reggio Emilia who said it was well-attended and very informative.
While children’s book publishing is the main event during BCBF, the significant trade in brands and licensing taking place at 2023 edition of the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair is worth noting. More than 600 brands—Hasbro Italy, Paramount, NBC Universal, Mondo TV, Mediatoon Licensing, to name a few—made their way to Bologna to wheel and deal intellectual property in the areas of entertainment, sports, and fashion. Think of everything from bedding and pajamas to party favors and broadcasting. In Italy alone, we’re talking 500 million-plus euros a year.
Part II: Foreword’s Indie Press Collective
Foreword’s Indie Press Collective was part of Children’s Books USA, located in Hall 26, the international hall where most English-speaking publishers are located. The setup routine of hanging signs and shelving books took us parts of two not-so-hectic days prior to the fair’s opening on Monday, March sixth. It was a pleasant surprise to arrive for setup and see all the walls we expected in place!
But when the show halls opened and the crowds filed in at 9:00 AM on Monday, the 2023 BCBF proceeded with enthusiasm.
Show Floor Buzz
Inside the Children’s Books USA stand, the Foreword Indie Press Collective held a prominent, highly visible position. Based on queries and conversations with minglers and appointment holders alike, children’s picture books were once again perennial favorites and this year there was a focus on young adult titles addressing mental health. One of our guest publishers who was not at the show last year noted the astounding difference in four years in the demand for mental health and balanced life issues. Prior to the pandemic, foreign rights agents abroad rarely spoke about this topic outside of divorce, grief, or death. Now, taking a proactive approach to mental health seems to be a worldwide concern for children of all ages.
Other comments noted were from one of our stand rights agents who shared that they are constantly surprised about titles that do well in Bologna that don’t seem to have a strong interest in the US. She learned never to come with any expectations about what might do well or not. Global immigration issues are also driving empathy titles that address diversity. Of course, there is also a lot of concern around the war in Ukraine, and the terrible toll it is taking on all sides.
Part III: Children’s Books USA
Located at booth number B129, in Hall 26, Children’s Books USA is a 34 year old Bologna Book Fair concierge and exhibit service for US publishers including Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Charlesbridge, APA/Magination Press, The Collective Book Studio, and Sylvia Hayse Rights Agency. The presence of these established houses, along with rights agents working through a long list of half-hour appointments, drove a significant amount of traffic into the Foreword Collective’s vicinity. In addition to dozens of walk by visits from publishers of various countries, hundreds of young illustrators, mostly from Europe, dropped in with hopes of meeting editors at the stand, and leaving their cards for followup. As always, books with foil award seals on the cover were a draw, as well as books in a series and those that have a successful sales history in the US.
The 2023 Foreword Indie Press Collective was hosted by myself (publisher/founder of Foreword Reviews) and partner/husband, the executive editor of *Foreword Reviews, *and co-directors of Children’s Books USA. Longtime colleague and agent Sylvia Hayse maintains a steady presence hosting meetings in front of the Foreword Collective, and over the course of the fair fielded dozens of inquiries related to books sent with us to the fair.
For children’s book authors and publishers of a certain size, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair is a must-do event. Smaller independent presses, in particular, have found the BCBF an excellent venue to begin a rights program. Compared to the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Bologna Fair is modestly sized and manageable. If you are only able to attend one international show overseas, Bologna may be a perfect fit. Please let us know if you have additional questions about participating in next year’s event, being held April eighth to eleventh.
Ciao,
Victoria Sutherland
Foreword Indie Press Collective
www.forewordreviews.com
231-933-3699
Victoria Sutherland
