The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is part of the Aldus Up project that build upon the successful experience of Aldus, the European Book Fairs network promoting the internationalisation of the book sector and the innovation of book fairs formats.
Aldus Up will develop studies, surveys and initiatives addressing core topics for the book sector: trends and promotion of translations in Europe, changes in reading habits - with particular attention to the impact of digitisation – innovation for books and reading promotion, new models for book fairs to develop and engage with their audience, foster transnational mobility of book professionals and increase inclusivity for specific target groups, in particular visually impaired people, linguistic minorities and migrants.
Publications and information resources developed by Aldus Up are presented in dedicated events hosted by European book fairs and made available online in form of articles, in-depth analyses and studies on the Aldus Up knowledge platform K-HUB, including some exclusive contents for members of the Aldus Community.
Aldus Up - Building Bridges in the Book World – is a large-scale cooperation project co-funded in the framework of Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020 coordinated by the Italian Publishers Association (AIE). In line with the richness and variety of the European book sector, the Aldus up partnership features both international and domestic book-fairs, national and European publishers’ associations and organisations with consolidated know-how and experiences in the areas of activities addressed by the project.
Among the initiatives promoted by the Bologna Children's Book Fair and BolognaBookPlus to support and disseminate Aldus Up’s goals are projects and events dedicated to translation, reading promotion, changes in reading habits, and technological innovation – with a special focus on the impact of AI on the publishing industry.
In addition, within the framework of Aldus Up, the Bologna Book Fair has developed the Bologna Global Rights Exchange: the virtual marketplace dedicated exclusively to the international rights, distribution and licensing of content. Born in 2020, the GRE has become a key tool of the BCBF digital strategy and host approximately 22,000 titles and more than 200 properties. It ensures the international community complete and constant support and plays an active role throughout the year enabling BCBF exhibitors and visitors to continue to display, discover and trade rights across the world.
10.30-11.15 - BBPLUS Theatre
Do Androids Dream of Great Alternative Descriptions for Images?
11.30-12.20 - BBPlus Theatre
The Italian General Book Market 2023, with a Focus on the Children's Book Market: Destination Frankfurt
12.30-13.20 - Authors Café
Stories across media. New forms of reading and storytelling for children from the BolognaRagazzi Crossmedia Awards 2024
13.00-13.45 - BBPlus Theatre
Gen Z, AI, and the Search for New Purpose in Publishing and Beyond
15.00-15.50 - Illustrators Survival Corner
La proprietà intellettuale nell'era dell'intelligenza artificiale: sfide e ripercussioni - Masterclass
17.30-18.15 - Authors Café
Higher-level reading, AI and book publishing: the Ljubljana reading manifesto
Tales of EUkraine: Intermediate ResultsTales Of Eukraine: Intermediate Results
13.00-13.45 - BBPlus Theatre
In the AI of the Beholder: How to See the Human Reading Behind the AI
16.00-16.45 - BBPlus Theatre
Unlocking AI, VR, AR in Publishing: Tools for Authoring and Digital Content Creation
9.30-10.30 - Translators Café
I mestieri del fumetto
11.00-11.50 - BBPLUS Theatre
Translation Forum: marketing and promotion of Books in Translation: Who, How and Why?
European Prize for Literature: Announcement and Networking Drinks
14.30-15.20 - Authors Café
Navigating the Future: AI Tools for Publishers
New technologies and the adoption of standards allow publishers to create digital publications accessible since the first publication, the so-called Born accessible publications. Complex layout books, as children’s books, require specific knowledge to achieve this goal. Thanks to the participation of international experts working in the field, the seminar will provide an insight on the opportunities and the challenges for the companies working in this market segment.
Speakers: Gregorio Pellegrino, Chief Accessibility Officer of Fondazione Libri Italiani Accessibili; Beatrice Martelli, Editor, The Passenger, Iperborea; Maruizio Mattioli, Director of the Educational Digital Projects, Zanichelli Editori
Organized by BBPlus
In cooperation with Fondazione Libri Italiani Accessibili
In the framework of Aldus Up
6 March 2023
11.30 - 12.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29 Mall 1
Greece Market of Honour BBPLUS 2023 Programme
The Italian Book Market: Facts & figures and Greek Book Market
Speakers: Bruno Giancarli, AIE Research Department; George Andrew Zannos, Managing Director OSDEL - Collective Management Organization for Literary Works
Organized by BBPlus
In cooperation with The Italian Publishers Association
In the framework of Aldus Up
6 March 2023
13.00 - 13.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29 Mall 1
From Measuring Reading to achieving its growth: the Evolution of ERICS and Reading Promotion
Speakers: Christoph Blässi, Johannes Gutenberg University; Kristenn Einarsson, Norwegian Publishers Association; Luis González, Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation; Bruno Giancarli, Associazione Italiana Editori
Organized by BBPlus
In the framework of Aldus Up
6 March 2023
13.00 - 13.50
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area – Hall 30
The State of Artificial Intelligence - Friend or Foe? - Masterclass with Julien Palier
The recent release of new powerful Artificial Intelligence models, with acclaimed tools like chatGPT, are forcing us to rethink how we work and create. But is Ai a threat, or an opportunity?
Speakers: Julien Palier, former journalist, entrepreneur in Tech and Ai, in charge of Product Management at Aily Labs
6 March 2023
13.30 - 14.20
Authors Café – Hall 30
BolognaRagazziCrossMedia
Stories across media. How children and young adults experience new forms of reading and storytelling in the digital dimension
In the digital space children and young adults experience news forms of reading and storytelling in complex narrative worlds in which books become webcomics and webnovels, podcasts and audiobooks, video and tv series, immersive and interactive stories.
Now in its third edition, the BolognaRagazzi Crossmedia Award (BRCMA), organised in the framework of the European project Aldus Up and in collaboration with Mamamo', is an international award for excellence and innovation of publishing projects that expand their narrative universe through different media in a particularly effective way, identifying narratives that have been able to migrate from traditional forms of publishing to other platforms. Starting with this edition, the BRCMA dedicates a new category to digital libraries that are able to offer reading experiences on the screen in an effective way.
Speakers: Warren Buckleitner, editor Children’s Technology Review; Kuo-Yu Liang, consultant in Pop-Culture & Publishing Ku Worldwide; Gareth Osborne, artistic director, Wonderspun Researcher, University of Bristol; Moderator Roberta Franceschetti, Co-founder, ContentMakers/Mamamo.it.
Organized by Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with Mamamò
In the framework of Aldus Up
6 March 2023
14.30-15.20
Authors Café – Hall 30
Mixing the Digital and Physical World: two Publishing Projects for Today
From a top YouTube creator to storybook success - Super Simple is bringing their digital characters off the screen and onto the pages of printed books in a cross media collaboration with Scholastic. Brett Jubinville and Lauren Mowat will talk about their design process, working with their publisher and how they’re able to attract a new audience of readers using QR codes, their website and their award-winning subscription mobile app.
Mr Motivator Tik Tok - Nearly 60% of 16-25 year olds say that BookTok has switched them on to reading. Students will highlight a project and share some of the content they have been creating. The project will launch a new children’s series with digital and physical products about mental wellbeing, kindness and caring for the environment.
Speakers: Brett Jubinville, COO Super Simple; Lauren Mowat, designer and illustrator Super Simple; Debbie Williams, senior lecturer Manchester Metropolitan University; Student Group: Sarah Cartwright, Kathryn Austin, Ciara Hanley, Lydia Hickson, Mia Johnson, Olivia Dennison, Georgina Eley, Isobel Neill; Moderator: Neal Hoskins, WingedChariot
Organized by Bologna Children's Book Fair
In the framework of Aldus Up
6 March 2023
16.30-18.15
Services Centre - Wing D – Sala Suite
Understanding the teenagers' relationship with reading
Luis González will present some conclusions from two qualitative research in Spain by FGSR: with teenagers and with professionals who work with them (teachers, librarians and booksellers).
Mamamò will present their reflections on the new behaviour patterns of teenagers
Speakers: Luis González, FGSR (Spain) and Elisa Salamini
Organized by BBPlus Fundación Germán Sánchez Ruipérez
In cooperation with Bologna Children's Book Fair
In the framework of Aldus Up
7 March 2023
09.45 - 11.15
Services Centre - Wing D – Sala Suite
La lettura in Italia da 0 a 14 anni
Organized by AIE – The Italian Publishers Association
In the framework of Aldus Up
7 March 2023
15.00 - 15.50
Illustrators Café with The Folio Society - Services Centre
Children's Laureates in Conversation
A panel discussion with seven Children’s Laureates and reading ambassadors from around the world
Speakers: Julia Eccleshare, chair; Áine Ní Ghlinn, Laureate na nÓg, Ireland; Joseph Coehlo, Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, UK; Casi Wyn, Bardd Plant Cymru, Wales; Gabrielle Wang, Children’s Laureate, Australia; Tialda Hoogeveen, Berneboeke ambassadeur Fryslân, Friesland; Nioosha Shams, Sveriges läsambassadör, Sweden; Susanna Mattiangeli, Children’s Laureate, Italy.
Organized by Bologna Children's Book Fair
In the framework of Aldus Up
8 March 2023
17.00 - 17.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29 Mall 1
How Artificial Intelligence can make publishers more competitive and lead to higher quality and New Media Productions. The Management of massive resources and a personalization of readers’ experiences
Speakers: Adele Magnelli, International Project Manager, ETT; Sam Habibi Minelli, Business Manager at GruppoMeta
Organized by BBPlus
9 March 2023
12.00 - 12.50
Illustrators Café with The Folio Society - Services Centre
I mestieri del fumetto: come presentare il portfolio
Organized by Comics & Graphic Novels Commission, AIE and Lucca Comics & Games
In the framework of Aldus Up
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair, with its brand’s extension BolognaBookPlus, is part of the Aldus Up project, a large-scale cooperation project co-funded in the framework of Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020 coordinated by the Italian Publishers Association (AIE).
Also this year, Bologna Children’s Book Fair/BolognaBookPLus offer a programme of initiatives and events aimed at promoting Aldus Up’s goals.
21/03/2022
14.00 – 14.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
The Impact of Elending on Purchasing Habits in Europe
Speakers: Ricardo Franco Levi, President of the Italian Publishers Association and Vice-President of the Federation of European Publishers
Seminar Organised by FEP
21/03/2022
16.15 - 17.15
Translator Café- Hall 30
Round Table: Translation in an Intercultural Context
Translating children's books into different cultures means not only processing the text into another language, but also transferring the level of illustration, which is an additional challenge. There, the different realities of children's lives play a big role: environment, skin colour, religion, etc. as well as cultural paradigms.
Welcome: Marifé Boix Garcia, Frankfurter Buchmesse GmbH, Germany
Speakers: Elisabeth Pérez Fernández, Illustrator, Spain - GoH 2022; Barbara Pregelj, Editor and Translator, Malinc, Slovenia - GoH 2023; Ilide Carmignani, Translator, Italy - GoH 2024. Moderator: Mariela Nagle, Consultant, Germany
The event takes place in the frame of the European Project ALDUS UP, the European Book Fairs network promoting the internationalization of the book sector and the innovation of book fairs formats.
Organized by Frankurter Buchmesse GmbH
21/03/2022
16.30 - 17.20
Authors’ Cafè
Stories on the Move. BolognaRagazzi CrossMedia Award 2022 Meet the Jury
This award aims to select the best publishing projects that expand their narrative universe across different media or that are a narrative extension of a project originated in other media. The International Jury of the Award, composed of experts in interactive and graphic design, new media, video game, film and television works, aims to identify books derived from multimedia projects and narratives originally produced by the world of traditional publishing that have successfully been included or expanded across other platforms such as television, cinema, videogames, mobile devices, or smart speakers.
Organized by BCBF
13.15 – 13.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
Understanding the new look. European Prize for Literature
A Conversation discussing the changes in the European Prize for Literature, and the effect these changes will bring about.
Speaker: Julie Belgrado, European and International Booksellers Federation; speaker Federation of European Publishers tbc
Organized by BBPLUS and European and International Booksellers Federation
22/03/2022
14.00 – 14.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
Let's Get Accessible
The new legislation requires content producers to adapt their production flow and upgrade their skills by taking into account the need to create an accessible ecosystem; where everyone in the value chain has to do their part. How? The seminar will provide an overview of the recent evolution of the legislation on the subject (Marrakesh Treaty and European Accessibility Act) and the best practices to produce quality and accessible editorial content for people with print impairments.
LIA’s experts will present the advantages of making their content accessible to people with visual disabilities, thus creating an inclusive editorial proposal for every reader.
A focus on alternative text for images: publishing has always used images and visual representations of all kinds (photographs, illustrations, graphics, etc.) to enrich text and convey concepts and emotions to its readers in the best possible way. For example, in children’s books, visual content is of great importance.
During the conference, the topic of alternative texts will be explored: hidden texts inserted within the image that can be read by assistive technologies (such as Text to speech), in order to describe its content to those who cannot access the image through sight. The alternative text is a key element to ensure full accessibility and usability of content also by people with a visual disability.
This seminar is aimed in particular at editors, graphic designers and illustrators who work in the process of design and creation for images, infographics and graphics for paper, digital and web contents.
Speakers: Cristina Mussinelli, secretary general, Fondazione LIA; Elisa Molinari, project manager, Fondazione LIA; Filippo Floridia , Mondadori; Marta Fornasero D Scuola
Organized by BBPLUS with AIE and Fondazione LIA
22/03/202
14.30 – 15.30
Services Centre – Wing B Sala Bolero
Back to the Future - 10 Years into Digital Publishing: An Open Digital Forum for Children’s Publishers
A special event and gathering for all publishers wishing to discuss open routes into digital with experts from around the world. We will investigate the evolution of Audio apps, video, ebook and games development that can go make up a complimentary cross-media platform alongside publishing print books. This informal session gives publishers the chance to ask many direct questions to some of the best multimedia companies at the fair who will share their experience and diverse outputs along with giving out some practical tips on various routes to international markets today. The Open forum experts include Skyship Entertainment, Picboco, Wonderz, StoryToys, Plug-inMedia and The Children’s Technology Review.
Organized by BCBF in cooperation with Wingedchariot
22/03/2022
15.00 – 15.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
Living with Books, Living with Covid: How Booksellers across Europe are Dealing with Change
Five booksellers representing different European countries will explain how they are each dealing with the changes brought on by the pandemic, lessons learnt, and how to build and keep a resilient business.
Speakers:
Maren Kleppen, Bookseller, Norway; Raluca Selejan, Owner La Două Bufnițe, Romania; Julie Belgrado, EIBF and bookseller from Mr B’s Emporium, UK
Organized by BBPLUS and European and International Booksellers Federation
22/03/2022
17.20 - 18.00
Authors Café - Mall Area
Diverse Digital Journeys: Two stories – Skyship Entertainment and Piboco
Ed Nawotka talks with Morghan Fortier and Brett Jubinville from Skyship Entertainment (Canada) on the development of their Super Simple kid’s brand and their entrance in the book publishing world. Comparing two different journeys through the world of digital content and looking at Piboco (Denmark) who have become the premium indie digital publisher for picture books today
Speakers: Ed Nawotka, international editor for Publisher Weekly, USA; Morghan Fortier and Brett Jubinville, Skyship Entertainment, Canada; Aksel Køie, Piboco, Denmark
Organized by BCBF in cooperation with Wingedchariot
23/03/2022
9.30 – 10.00
Authors Café - Mall Area
Digital Firsts - Publishing Children’s Stories in Cross-Media Formats
Neal Hoskins, Digital consultant for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair talks with Sebastian Wehner, CEO Wonderz (Germany) and Juliet Tzabar, CEO Plug-in Media (UK) With their combined and varied experience in producing popular children’s IP within cross media formats they will highlight the different opportunities and challenges that publishers face in the creating complimentary media can centre around one main children’s character.
Speakers: Neal Hoskins, Digital consultant for BCBF; Sebastian Wehner, CEO Wonderz, Germany; Juliet Tzabar, CEO Plug-in Media, UK
Organized by BCBF in cooperation with Wingedchariot
23/03/2022
9.40 - 10.30
Authors Café - Mall Area
The Very Hungry Caterpillar apps - an eight year overnight publishing success story.
Neal Hoskins BCBF digital consultant (UK) and Emmet O’Neill CEO, Story Toys (Ireland) investigate the onscreen journey of one the most loved picture books form Eric Carle. They will be working through the long and winding road of a route to success and seeing what makes the enduring story able to reinvent itself for the digital age without losing its original enigmatic draw.
Speakers: Warren Buckleitner, founding editor of The Children’s Tech Review, USA; Emmet O’Neill, CEO of Story Toys, Ireland
Organized by BCBF in cooperation with Wingedchariot
23/03/2022
10.00 – 11.00
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
Translation Forum: Nations Unite. What Sells Well, Where
This seminar considers trends in translation, and what is selling in translated books, in various markets.
Speakers: Viviana Vuscovich; Mauri Spagnol; Simona Olivito, Edizioni E/O Rome; Nopi Chatzigeorgiou, Inara Belinkaja, Jānis Roze Bookshop and Publishing, Latvia; Leonella Basiglini, Europa Editions.
Organized by BBPLUS
23/03/2022
11.00 – 11.45
BBPlus Theatre – Hall 29
Translation Forum: Hot Topics in Translation Rights
A debate around the challenges and hot topics that translated books, and those that translate, publish, sell them experience.
Speakers: Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp, translator; Lawrence Schimel, author and anthropologist; Inara Belinkaja, owner of Jānis Roze Bookshop and Publishing, Latvia; Alīse Nīgale, Liels un Mazs; Fernanda Dantas, Brazilian Book Chamber; Emma House, Oreham Group
Organized by BBPLUS
Bologna Children’s Book Fair Global Rights Exchange
Machine Translation & Human Creativity – online International Conference (13 March 2021; on demand 20 March - 31 July)
A close look at the characteristics, practice and recent results of machine translation of literary works, with special focus on children’s books. Prominent sector specialists take stock of the situation, considering the theory behind ongoing research but also engaging in practical workshops to take an in-depth look at the tools available and the results produced in the field of creative literary texts.
BolognaRagazzi CrossMedia Award (Live 14 June 2021, available until 30 September 2021)
Bologna Children's Book Fair has decided to reformulate the BolognaRagazzi Digital Award – the digital prize created a decade ago – to broaden its scope and strengthen its connection with the world of books, establishing an award to select the best publishing projects that expand their narrative universe across different media or that are a narrative extension of a project originated in other media. The International Jury of the Award, composed of experts in interactive and graphic design, new media, video game, film and television works, aims to identify books derived from multimedia projects and narratives originally produced by the world of traditional publishing that have successfully been included or expanded across other platforms such as television, cinema, videogames, mobile devices, or smart speakers.
Content Reigns Supreme. New Digital Landscapes in Publishing and Licensing – online Masterclass (22 April 2021; on demand until 31 July 2021)
What are the different approaches to making children’s content that is engaging and unique? How can you broaden your business through multiple media channels, brands and consumer experience? This online Masterclass combines the rich cross-media expertise of Bologna Children’s Book Fair and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair, from publishing through licensing and digital: an intense day of sessions and insights into the main global trends in children’s content development, reserved for professionals in the publishing, licensing, media, and digital fields.
The Worldwide Illustrators Survival Portfolio – online Portfolio Review (12 June 2021)
24 international reviewers – illustrators, art directors and agents – connected in videoconference from all corners of the world to review the portfolios of 240 Illustrators and give them tips on how to proceed on a career path.
BolognaBookPlus Headline International Conference (Live 14 June 2021, on demand until 31 July 2021)
BBPlus presents its first global general publishing conference, entitled Forging Forward: The Pandemic – An Interruption or An Opportunity to Rethink?
Co-chairs Bodour Al Qasimi, IPA President, and Richard Charkin, Mensch Publishing, will guide the audience through a packed programme covering the publishing business post-Covid, accessibility, education, inclusivity, changing business models, technological enablement, sustainability, and more. Lots of bonus content are included, in addition to the main programme.
International Forum on Literary Translation (Live 14 June 2021, available until 30 September 2021)
Down the rabbit hole: working (and surviving) as a translator of children’s books. What are the general working conditions for translators of children’s books in Europe? What are their fees, royalties, contracts, negotiating power and visibility? An international panel will discuss good practices in different countries with a focus on what can be done to improve the situation.
BolognaBookPlus: Literary Translation Forum (Live 16 June 2021, on demand until 31 July 2021)
Literature crosses cultures and geographies through the expertise of literary translators, often seen as the unsung heroes in the publishing supply chain. This new Literary Translation Forum shines a light on this important sector. Two eminent translators will take part in a Translation Slam Italian/English, and speakers from around the globe will debate the current challenges and opportunities for those in the business of translating literature. Event’s partners at Words without Borders will help shape this important and compelling event.
Dust or Magic Masterclass, Online Edition (Live 15 June 2021, available until 30 September 2021)
As part of the special 2021 online program, the Bologna Children's Book Fair is delighted to once again offer a unique edition of the Dust or Magic Masterclass for all those interested in and making digital media for children today.
The event will focus on the juror reports from the new Crossmedia award, along with discussions on innovation, ethics, platform trends and — if time — demos.
Moderator: Warren Buckleitner, Editor, Children’s Technology Review, USA
Speakers: Jurors of the Crossmedia Award, including Cristina Angelucci, Editor in Chief, Licensing Magazine, Italy; Julie Fox, IP Expert and Executive Producer, Ireland-France; Roberta Franceschetti, Co-Founder, Mamamò and TheContentMakers, Italy; Neal Hoskins, Founder, Wingedchariot, United Kingdom;
Pre Registration required.
FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: What makes a book or series of books a good work for screen projects (Live 16 June 2021, 05.30 PM)
GALLERIES
GLOBAL RIGHTS EXCHANGE
FAIRTALES