Philippines first time to join world's biggest children's book fair

A first for PH at world's biggest children's book fair

Story by Franco Jose C. Baroña
Manila Times
07 April 2024

THE Philippines will participate for the first time in the world's biggest international fair for children's content, National Book Development Board (NBDB) Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade said.

The event will be held at the 2024 Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) from April 8 to 11, 2024 at the BolognaFiere Exhibition Centre in Bologna, Italy.

A curated selection of 103 Philippine books will be featured at the BCBF. These titles by Filipino authors explore themes such as culture, diversity, identity, peace, community and the environment, said Aquino-Tugade, adding that the NBDB partnered with the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (BCBF).

Aquino-Tugade said the Philippine delegation included acclaimed artists Beth Parrocha, a founding member of Ang INK and illustrator of "The Pencil Who Would Not Write" and "Bulul"; Liza Flores, who did the illustrations in "The Secret is in the Soil"; and authors Russell Molina and Mary Ann Ordinario.

For the country's participation in the leading professional fair for children's books in the world, Aquino-Tugade said they aimed not only to present the talent of Filipino creators but also "to secure translation rights, expand networks with foreign publishers, and foster collaborations between local and international counterparts."

She said Philippine comics will also take center stage at the BCBF's Comics Corner, courtesy of Avenida Books founder and Trese publisher Nida Ramirez, who has been honored with a fellowship from the BolognaFiere Group.

Aquino-Tugade said that the country's presence in the BCBF, as well as in the upcoming Asian Festival for Children's Content, where it will be the Country of Focus, and the upcoming Guest of Honor role in Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025, "shall help solidify the Philippines as an emerging creative content capital in Southeast Asia."

"We cannot wait to introduce our children's book industry to the global stage — the many Filipino authors and publishers exploring themes of peace, identity and community," she said.

The BCBF, held yearly, is the meeting place for all professionals involved with creating and publishing children's books. It is mainly used for buying and selling rights for translations and derived products like movies or animated series.

This year, with over 1,500 exhibitors from around 100 countries, including the Philippines, the fair expects over 25,000 visitors.

Designed by the award-winning artist and illustrator Aldy Aguirre, the Philippines' country stand is at Hall 29, Stand B24-C23.