Chinese Excellence in Children's Illustration

In its role as a bridge for cultural exchange and promoter of the children’s publishing industry worldwide, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair has, in recent years, helped spark an extraordinary development of picture books in China. This new and original production stands out on the international scene for its fusion of traditional Oriental aesthetics with modern multicultural voices.

With the objective of showcasing the best contemporary Chinese illustrators by presenting an annual selection of outstanding works by both well-known and emerging artists, in 2023 BCBF/BolognaFiere, China South Publishing & Media Group Co. Ltd, and Sidee Cultural Communication Co. Ltd launched Chinese Excellence in Children’s Illustration, a format inspired by the extraordinary experience of Italian Excellence, the BCBF exhibitions created to highlight the best of contemporary Italian illustration.

The project also comes to life thanks to the mutual friendship between the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and China. Since 2018, BCBF has been the co-organizer of the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair, the only professional publishing fair in the Asia-Pacific region dedicated to the exchange of rights and the promotion of children’s and young adult content. And precisely during CCBF 2025 - on Saturday, 15 November at 10:00 a.m. - the announcement ceremony of the 2026 finalists will take place, selected each year from numerous submissions by a jury composed of leading Chinese and international experts (for this third edition: Øyvind Torseter, Elodie Bourgeo, and Grazia Gotti).