It’s great to be back in China to renew and strengthen our connections with Chinese publishers, and we very much look forward to continuing this collaboration. We’re inspired by the strong interest in Norwegian children’s literature at the fair, from both the public and the publishers. Our thanks go to BCBF and CCBF for placing Norway in the spotlight as we look ahead to Bologna 2026, where Norway will be Guest of Honour.
Director, Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA)
Margit Walsø (Norway)
This is our second time exhibiting here. There are plenty of opportunities to export in the English-language market as well as in other foreign-language markets. We’ve met new customers this week, and it’s been really enjoyable. It’s such an amazing and huge market — I recommend anyone to come.
Deputy Manager Director, Igloo Books
Dean Corish (UK)
We are overjoyed to meet our Chinese partners in Shanghai; it has been a great opportunity to connect with them
Foreign Rights Sales and Production Manager, Il Castoro and Tunué,
Andreina Speciale (Italy)
We were invited by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair after being shortlisted for the BOP Prize. I was impressed by how many people attended the talks. This year I have a particular interest in comics, and the programme covered this area wonderfully. I also had the opportunity to network and meet with Chinese publishers.
Publisher Children's Books, Dar El Shorouk
Amira Aboul Magd (Egypt)
It's a really great opportunity to come and see what Chinese publishers are looking for.
Commissioning Editor, Windy Hollow Books
Cristina Pase (Australia)
It’s a very multicultural and multinational book fair, and I’m very happy to be here.
Director and Founder, Mákina Editorial and MakeMake
Catalina Holguín (Colombia)
This is our third time here. We have expanded our network of partners very effectively, and we are glad to be in constant communication with Chinese publishers. This is a great opportunity.
Senior International Markets Manager, Clever Publishing
Evgenia Skvortsova (Russia)
It was my good fortune to attend the Shanghai Book Fair for the first time this year. Thank you CCBF for your invite and your amazing hospitality.
Centering on children is centering on the future. Bringing children and books together is IBBY’s mission. When that happens under one rooftop, there is hope for the world.
At the Shanghai Book Fair people with the same ideals, same goals came together, with their words, illustrations, thoughts and life’s work, to make it available to the world; to pass it on. What better!
And then parents, teachers, concerned citizens and, of course, the children were there to add vitality, joy and wholesomeness.
Thank you CCBF for bringing such vibrant and relevant beauty to Asia.
President, International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
Basarat Kazim (Pakistan)
CCBF continues to be an inspiring global meeting point for creators, publishers, and readers alike. A vibrant, beautifully organized fair offered an inspiring space to share ideas, connect with industry leaders, and celebrate the future of children’s publishing. Being part of CCBF as a speaker, publisher, and panelist reaffirmed how vital this fair is for fostering creativity and international cooperation.
President, International Publishers Association (IPA)
Gvantsa Jobava (Georgia)
Visiting the CCBF felt like stepping into the book fair of the future. I saw how cutting-edge and proactive the Chinese book industry is, something I could not have fully understood from a distance. So, what is often being theorized in the EU, is already in motion in China. Thanks to the SHVIP there was a unique opportunity to exchange on current industry topics with the leading experts as well as start building a network for the future collaborations. This trip has certainly left me curious to explore opportunities for common work.
2025SHVIP Fellow
Rights & Foreign Rights Manager, Ueberreuter Verlag
Meri Melkonyan (Germany)
The selection of Fellows was good and I enjoyed meeting the other fellows and made new contacts. The programmes lined up for the fellows were excellent and I particularly enjoyed visiting the publishing houses to learn about their activities and focus. I appreciated the opportunity to meet the staff and management of these companies and made contacts. In fact I am still in contact with the Shanghai Century Publishing group for some follow up.
I had a great insight of the children book industry in China, particularly in Shanghai. I enjoyed the interactions with the other fellows, publishers and management teams of the companies that I had visited. The business matching activities brought benefits to me as a first time participant. As I mentioned, 3 of them have come to Kuala Lumpur for further discussions and to assess the Malaysian market.
Shanghai Children Bookfair is a good fair for Malaysian children publishers to participate due to the well planned programs and extensive participation by publishers from China and other parts of the world. Its an excellent alternative for Malaysians compared to going to Bologna. Malaysians can enjoy the quality in Shanghai due to the collaboration with Bologna Bookfair.
2025SHVIP Fellow
Penerbit Mahir Sdn Bhd Chairman
Ahmad Redza Bin Ahmad Khairuddin (Malaysia)
Once again, thanks for inviting PW to CCBF. We appreciate the opportunity to meet with exhibitors and cover the event for our readers/audience.
Reporter, Publishers Weekly
Teri Tan (Malaysia)
At the CCBF, you don’t just encounter good books—you also encounter many beautiful moments between people. Most of the time, we remain confined within the information bubbles amplified by big data, accustomed to viewing the world through a “black-or-white” lens. We forget that the world is inherently diverse, layered, and full of nuanced shades, and we overlook the possibilities of bridging gaps—of communicating, understanding, and embracing one another.
An in-person gathering creates these very possibilities; and I believe this is the true meaning of a book fair.
Founder, Hui Ben Bang Bang Tang
Xiang Wen (China)
During the fair, I also connected with several B2B clients interested in future collaboration. My sincere thanks to the organizers for such a well-run event. I look forward to seeing more professional platforms that support and empower the illustrator community in the years ahead.
Illustrator
yuanQ (China)
During the fair, I had the opportunity to connect with several publishers and hope to see my picture books published in mainland China in the future. Publishers from Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea also came to discuss potential collaborations. Overall, I was very impressed by the professional atmosphere and the quality of interactions at this year’s event.
Illustrator
Lokrazy Plus Design (Hong Kong, China)
This year’s Shanghai Children’s Book Fair reminded me that children’s books are more than stories on a page—they’re bridges of culture and emotion. We’re seeing high-quality children’s IP evolve beyond print into immersive experiences, interactive exhibitions, and themed spaces, becoming cultural content that children can experience, participate in, and share.
This offers fresh inspiration for Pinghu as we work to integrate culture, tourism, and sports, and to create engaging parent-child learning experiences. In the future, we look forward to weaving reading into our landscapes and letting the charm of childhood spark new possibilities in cultural tourism.
Sheng Xiaochun
Deputy Director, Pinghu Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Sports (China)
I’m delighted to have participated in this year’s Children’s Book Fair and to have reconnected with so many old friends. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!
Principal, Magnolia Kindergarten
Xu Yan (China)
