The 12th China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) takes place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre from 14 to 16 November 2025. CCBF is approved by Shanghai Press & Publication Administration, organised by Shanghai Xinhua Distribution Group Co., Ltd., China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd., and China Universal Press & Publication Co., Ltd., co-organised by Ronbo BolognaFiere Shanghai Ltd., with the support of BolognaFiere Group.
As the leading fair entirely dedicated to books and specific contents for children aged 0-16 in Asia Pacific, CCBF has been committed to advancing international publishing exchange and promoting children’s reading since its inception. This year’s fair features 474 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, featuring over 20,000 of the latest children’s books from around the world. A total of 322 professional and reading promotion events will take place simultaneously, covering the entire children’s content industry chain. More than just a feast of children's books, CCBF serves as a grand gathering of cultural exchange and industry innovation.
The fair is divided into two main areas: the Copyright Zone and the Hybrid Zone. The Copyright Zone is open to professional visitors, facilitating copyright trading and international cooperation in children’s publications, while the Hybrid Zone integrates copyright trading, marketing, distribution, and retail promotion, appealing to a broader readership. Publishers, copyright agents, distributors, IP owners, printing companies, authors, illustrators, and children’s content and derivative brands from around the world gather in Shanghai to explore the future of children’s reading and the content ecosystem.
As the core international section of the fair, the Copyright Zone brings together renowned publishing houses and copyright agencies from around the world. Two new themed features have been added to the Copyright Zone this year. The Belt and Road Area brings together members of the Silk Road Publishers Club from Uzbekistan, North Korea, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The Cross Media Lounge focuses on animation, games, audio, video, and other digital content, highlighting new trends in the integration of children’s books and new media.
The Hybrid Zone also features four dedicated zones: the Education Zone, featuring prominent organisations such as New Oriental, TAL, EF, and Banmatap; the Creative Zone, presenting brands including M&G Stationery, Marie’s, TWSBI, Clairefontaine, Fabriano, and CozyWorld; the IP Zone, gathering beloved characters including Mr. Snow King, Harry Potter, Anpanman, Marsupilami, and Zoroli; the Bookstore Zone, inviting bookstores from across China to present selected children’s books and picture books on-site.
This year, CCBF continues to advance its core strategic pillars of internationalisation, specialisation, cross-sector integration, and sustainable development. This is underpinned by a reinforced focus on three key areas: international exchange, the promotion of original content, and industrial integration.
Exhibitors from 35 countries and regions across five continents have gathered at this year’s fair. Among them, 194 are international exhibitors, representing leading children’s book publishing countries such as France, Italy, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, Spain, etc. One of the most anticipated spotlights is Norway in the Limelight, a special taste of Norway's Guest of Honour plans for Bologna 2026. CCBF delegates can look forward to events and showcases featuring Norway's illustrators and a rich array of children's books. The Italian Collective Stand organised by ICE-ITA Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with AIE-The Italian Publishers Association also makes a strong return, featuring 13 exhibitors, including several making their Shanghai debut.
The line-up of exhibitors also includes winners of the Bologna Prize Best Children's Publishers of the Year (BOP) and the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi, as well as publishing institutions from the Asia-Pacific and Belt and Road regions, presenting a diverse and vibrant global children’s book landscape.
The International Children’s Reading Promotion Forum covers children’s book publishing, family reading, reading education, and library development. Representatives from international organisations such as Gvantsa Jobava, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), and Basarat Kazim, President of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), attend to discuss global trends in reading promotion and deepen international collaboration.
The newly launched Spotlight on New Books establishes CCBF as the premier stage for worldwide children’s book debuts. This platform brings together 270 newly launched titles from 14 countries. This platform showcases the latest original works from home and abroad. It demonstrates the strong recognition and supports that CCBF has earned from the publishers.
The Shanghai Visiting International Publishers Programme (SHVIP) makes a grand return. From 12 to 17 November, publishers from Spain, Germany, the UK, Malaysia, Norway, and Japan visit Shanghai to meet local publishers, distributors, and bookstores. Through forums and networking activities, they will gain a deep understanding of China’s publishing ecosystem and promote efficient two-way exchange of children’s books.
CCBF presents a multifaceted programme built around the core components of "Special exhibition + Forum + Competition + Experience". Through international collaboration, the fair showcases creativity and innovation in the global children’s content industry.
In terms of the special exhibition, Children Plus – COMICS: Exploring the World, One Bubble at a Time features 300 selected Chinese and international comic titles. The exhibition is curated by Grazia Gotti, President of the Giannino Stoppani Cultural Organization, and Mariaelena Schiavo, Special Project Manager of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, with domestic guidance from senior children’s book editor and picture book researcher Fei Jia. International exhibits demonstrate how comics help preschool children explore the world, learn languages, and stimulate imagination and expression, while the Chinese original section presents comics from early to contemporary works, including Sanmao, Ha Xiaolang Goes to School, Mi Wu Fun Encyclopaedia, Three-Body Illustrated Novel, Journey to the West Illustrated Novel, and Chunhui.
The forum section presents 18 Official Conference and Seminars exploring industry trends, business innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Highlights include insights from Hazel Kenyon, Commercial Director at NielsenIQ, and Yang Lei, Executive Vice President of OpenBook, on children’s content publishing and market trends, and presentations by Sydney Smith, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and renowned picture book illustrator Zhou Xiang, on visual storytelling and emotional expression. In addition, Veronica Espinosa-Cabalinan, Vice President of Disney Publishing and Digital Experiences at The Walt Disney Company, Xiao Hanbing, General Manager of the Business Department at Shanghai Character License Administrative Co., Ltd., and Chiu Siu Fung, Executive Director of Medialink Group, will discuss global IP localization and cross-sector cooperation. Editors and publishers from Xiron Books, Everafter Books, and Jieli Publishing will also share perspectives on Asia’s children’s content development, cross-cultural storytelling, and thematic innovation.
The Illustrators Survival Corner, co-organised by CCBF, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and the Mimaster Illustrazione, features 48 sessions including masterclasses, workshops, and portfolio reviews. Meeting face-to-face with these featured illustrators, including Shinsuke Yoshitake (MOE Picture Book Award), Belgian illustrator Leo Timmers, Italian illustrator Alessandro Sanna, Norwegian Øyvind Torseter, and Chinese author-illustrator A Geng, offers young creators with valuable opportunities for professional growth and international recognition.
As for the competitions, the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition received 2,828 submissions from 78 countries and regions, with 69 shortlisted works exhibited on-site. The XHCC · New Dreams series is upgraded with the Youth and Children’s Rainbow Growth Forum and the inaugural Mind Oasis: Childlike Peace salon and International Little Illustrators Competition award ceremony. Multiple parties also sign a Memorandum of Cooperation on Adolescent Mental Health Action, promoting integration of children’s publishing and child wellbeing through cross-sector dialogue.
In the experiential segment, CCBF has partnered with New Dreams and the Shanghai Children's Library to present the Shanghai Kids Reading Festival – Reading at the Library, Drawing New Dreams. From 8th to 23rd November, over 80 bookstores and reading spaces nationwide—including Duoyun Bookstore, SISYPHE, and Shanghai Book City—host book recommendations, author meet-and-greets, parent-child workshops, and the "Book π" lecture series, extending the cultural reach of CCBF.
As a premier platform for children’s book releases, CCBF showcases the year’s latest titles and original works. Juvenile & Children’s Publishing House presents Nature Lessons in the City, Hello, Mount Everest (Nepali edition), and hosts book sharing for Master Ancient Poetry in A Scientific Way and A Message in a Drift Bottle author meet-and-greets. CITIC Press Group hosts a book launch for Kiki and Me, and sharing sessions for illustrated classics including Water Margin: The Tiger on Mount Jingyang and Starfish. Jieli Publishing House introduces Legend of Cats among the Forbidden City, Particle Physics: A Detective Adventure, Fun Geography, and The Boy and His Cat General, while 21st Century Publishing House showcases The Green Shimmering Summer, survival and adventure encyclopaedias, and the Chamelia series. Collectively, these new releases offer a vibrant and dynamic showcase of the latest in children's publishing.
