Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025

Yes. I did it again! Here are my top tips and experiences of Bologna 2025.

Portfolio:

Last year, I took a printed portfolio with me that I had printed as a hardback book that I could carry around with me at the fair. Although it looked really nice professionally printed, what it prevented me from doing was being able to swap out work that wasn’t so popular and adjust my portfolio as the days went on. So, this year I decided to purchase a loose-leaf portfolio from the London Graphic centre in an A4 size. This meant that I could adjust what I was putting at the front of my portfolio, depending on who was reviewing it. I actually found myself adjusting the order of my portfolio after the very first review that I had, and I was pleased that I was able to do that. I had 16 pages of artwork in the portfolio, and I think looking back that was too many. Most reviewers only focused on the first few pages.

The lesson that I learned this year is to really be selective about what’s in my portfolio and reduce the numbers of pieces. Only show your very best work and get it professionally printed so that it looks its best. You can always (as I did) put reserve pieces at the back of the portfolio, if you think that they may be something a reviewer might want to see.

On the second day, I decided to take my iPad with me. However, as soon as I handed it to my first reviewer, I realised my mistake. Having it printed on an iPad meant that they could scroll through my artwork really quickly, and not really dwell on any of the pictures. I will not do that again. A physical portfolio that a reviewer can leaf through whether it be hardback or looseleaf will slow the reviewer down, even if it’s just a little.

Reviews:

I was lucky enough to get four portfolio reviews this year. Three more than last year! One was booked in advance through the fair website. Two were booked through the SCBWI and the last one was a lucky chance as one was happening on a publisher stand as I passed it. This year I learned how much opinions can differ on your artwork. One reviewer might love it, another not so much. Write down everything they say once the review is over, pull out the good bits of advice and try to not be too downhearted if it doesn’t go well. After 3 positive reviews I had one not so good one, but perhaps that was because the reviewer was tired. After all the days at the fair are long.

Walking the fair:

Like last year I decided not to join any of the longer queues for a review, (especially if I saw lots of illustrators sitting down), I found that I can learn just as much from walking the fair and being inspired by the variety of art work on display. The Illustrator’s Exhibition is a must and if you can catch a masterclass or workshop so much the better. I haven’t managed to get a ticket for a workshop yet but I have seen some fabulous work come out of them. Buying books is one of my favourite hobbies and there’s plenty of opportunity to do that here and some of the authors and illustrators will even sign them for you.

The Illustrators Wall:

My tips for the wall remain the same apart from, if like me you arrive a day or so after the fair has started you should still find room to put up an A5 size postcard. Just make sure that you find a clear space for it and not cover up someone’s work that is already there. This is a section from the Quarto Books stand (not the illustrators wall) but a good place to leave a postcard.

.

How long should I go for?

After my experiences of the fair last year, I decided this year to make the controversial decision not to attend on the first day. Last year, I found the event very overwhelming on the first day with huge queues and a rush to get to the Illustrators wall. If you have read my first newsletter, you will know that I commented on the number of business meetings that were taking place on that first Monday and I spent most of my time on the first day, navigating my way around the fair as it is so huge! So, if you are worried about large crowds, or feeling overwhelmed, arriving a day later might make all the difference. It is genuinely exhausting.

Lots of illustrators, I know do the full four days, and that gives you the opportunity to explore the city and the local area as well. It’s certainly worth seeing the old town which is very beautiful with lots of pavement cafes where you can sketch while enjoying a gelato. The town is full of bookshops and there’s a particularly beautiful one in Piazza Maggiore where I may have bought one or two books. 

Meeting fellow illustrators:

This for me was the highlight of the fair. I managed to meet several people that I’ve been chatting with on various art courses or on Instagram for quite some time. It was lovely to meet these people face-to-face, share our lovely artwork and maybe swap a postcard. Everyone was so nice and friendly and it feels like you’ve known them for years when you start chatting. Whilst at the fair, the illustrator community share updates on who’s offering portfolio reviews and arrange times to meet up for coffee or an ice cream. To have a community you can chat to when you’re in an environment where you are showing your work to prospective publishers is invaluable

!