PVLF 2025

Everafter Books Wins Top Honor at Bologna Book Fair

Everafter Books wins the Bologna Prize at the 62nd Bologna Children's Book Fair, highlighting China's growing influence in global children's publishing.
on Apr 04, 2025

Bologna Children's Book Fair has awarded the Bologna Prize for Best Children's Publishers of the Year to Chinese publisher Everafter Books.

BOLOGNA, Italy, April 3 (Xinhua) -The 62nd edition of the Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) has again unified the international community of children's publishers, bringing over 1,500 stand-holders from more than 90 countries and regions.

Among one of the most significant events on the professional publishing calendar, the fair this year -- running March 31-April 3 is to attract more than 20,000 industry travelers. Among some of the chief highlights, books for Chinese children were particularly rich in culture, innovative storytelling, and increasing appeal in global markets.

Headed by China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation, the Chinese delegation had over 40 leading publishers under its umbrella, presenting a broad range of titles from picture books and children's books to science education. At the heart of the exhibition center, the China Pavilion's "Premium Chinese Children's Books" area showcased highly acclaimed original works, including such popular franchises as Ne Zha.

"Picture books are a significant window for the world to explore Chinese culture," said Elena Pasoli, director of the Bologna Children's Book Fair. She pointed out the growing global interest in Chinese books over the last few years because of their diversified content, creative formats, and cultural richness.

China's contribution to this year's fair was exceptionally strong. Several publishers released new books and entered into rights negotiations that sought to extend their global presence. Some of the most eagerly awaited projects included Let's Retrace the Silk Roads, a science-themed picture book jointly developed by Beijing Step By Step International Publishing Co. Ltd and UNESCO. Through interactive stories and beautiful pictures, the series brings alive the cultural exchange, historical changes, and myth of the ancient Silk Road.

"The Silk Road is not only an ancient trade route; it represents cultural blending," said Mehrdad Shabahang, director of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme. "We hope that these stories will encourage children everywhere to value the richness of civilizations and the importance of respect for one another."

Fan Liang, director of Step By Step Publishing, stated that the book series had already been translated into five languages and published in several countries. After its initial launch at Bologna, four other international publishers have shown interest in buying rights.

In addition to book fairs, the fair remains a crucial forum for industry debate. Among the major issues this year were the so-called "reading crisis," the influence of artificial intelligence, and the future of sustainable publishing.

Children's book markets globally are facing serious challenges. Based on the Italian Publishers Association (AIE), Italian sales of children's and young adult literature amounted to 258.2 million euros (286.91 million U.S. dollars) in 2024 - the first decrease since 2020. The data also indicated that 74 percent of Italian children between the ages of 0-14 read fewer than six printed books per year, while four percent don't read anything at all. Screen time on digital devices now triples the time spent reading.

In Britain, The Bookseller magazine reported that teen reading frequency has fallen to its lowest level in two decades, as digital entertainment continues to compete for young readers' attention. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping the publishing landscape, influencing both illustration and production models.

To meet these trends, Chinese publishers are working hard to try new things -- from cross-border cooperation to digital innovation. Phoenix Publishing and Media Group established an independent stand at the fair, showcasing major titles like The Three-Body Problem graphic novel, Moving Dinosaurs pop-up book, and Loving Bridge picture book series. The company also initiated the "Oriental Doll Original Picture Book Award," which accepts worldwide submissions to promote creative exchange.

In the evening of March 31, China was further recognized as the Bologna Children's Book Fair conferred the Bologna Prize for Best Children's Publishers of the Year on Chinese publisher Everafter Books. The recognition is a milestone in China's increasing dominance in global publishing.

"China's publishing industry still has vast potential in global markets," said Zhang Mingzhou, former president of the International Board on Books for Young People. "To succeed, we must deepen our understanding of global readers and refine our storytelling approaches."

Former Italian Ambassador to China Alberto Bradanini emphasized the significance of children's books in fostering intercultural understanding. "Investing in children's development is investing in the future," he said to Xinhua, adding that Chinese children's books are increasingly contributing to global cultural exchange.

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