My first trip to Bologna Children’s Book Fair!!
This is an international trade show where all of the publishers from around the world sell their children’s books to different countries. A huge event in the Children’s book publishing calendar. As an illustrator it’s just nice to visit and see how the industry works. The visual feast of illustration on display is overwhelming and inspiring in equal measures!
Each year they have a Guest of Honour country and this year it was Slovenia. I have just completed a series of 4 picture books for the Slovenian publisher Morfemplus so I had to go!! Here I am meeting them. They were so lovely to me . .
I also visited the Nosy Crow stand to have a chat with the fab Tegan and see some of my books on display there. .
And the lovely Good Ship Illustration were also there, a group of amazing people who have helped so many of us with our work development.
We had opportunities to meet up with other illustrators, authors and agents, (didn’t photograph them all I’m so rubbish!) . .
After the show we could wind down in the beautiful city of Bologna and explore the piazzas and side streets then sit and watch the world go by. Look how gorgeous it is. .
I did some sketches. .
There seemed to be illustration everywhere we looked. .
The reward after walking round the fair all day was a beautiful meal. They are very proud of their local produce. .
I can eat pasta until it comes out of my ears so I was very happy in Italy.
Maybe we need a return visit next year. It was such a blast.
Grazie e ciao!!!