The magnificent Salaborsa library in the heart of Bologna showcased the thousands of books entered for the 2024 BolognaRagazzi Awards: from 3355 titles, submitted by 810 publishers from 65 countries, the winners and special mentions were selected by an international jury.
Alongside the main and now historical categories, there is a new addition that from this year will be permanent, Toddler, confirming international trends.
For the special categories that are proposed each year, 2024 presents The Sea and, for the first time, The Extraordinary Award for an Extraordinary Book, a special prize created to highlight a title that has touched the jury in an exceptional way.
However, many others were greatly admired by the international juries of experts, critics, journalists, who took a look at the outstanding worldwide production. Bologna Children’s Book Fair is proud to devote a special exhibition to these publishing gems and contribute to their visibility on the international stage.
One hundred titles, from forty countries, testify to an inventive and artistic excellence that increases year by year and shows how quality is characteristic of every corner of the world. In the West as in the East, in the North as in the South. It is thought of and produced for the younger audiences with great respect for their intelligence, curiosity and thirst for knowledge, this seems to be the most verifiable fact. The first edition of the new Toddler category shines a light on works of extraordinary finesse and surprising inventiveness. Picture books, at every level, are increasingly cultural products of great interest to every audience, not the preserve of children alone. Many are debut works and new comics that present very different styles. Alongside works by established authors we showcase those by authors who will be the established names of tomorrow, because popularity always starts with a small seed.
Truly an amazing bookshelf!