Yeon at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025 Apr 09 2025

Every year, we at Yeon come together with our sister agencies to visit the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), one of the most important international events dedicated to children's literature. The 62nd fair took place from March 31 to April 3, and our agent Steven had the opportunity to visit the fair and return with some insights. Let's hear what Steven has to say!

Q: What are your thoughts about Bologna Children's Book Fair? 

Steven: Bologna is one of the biggest events of the year worldwide for children's book industry professionals. The fact that the fair is held in Italy makes it even more special, as according to many Italy is the birthplace of figurative art. Much has been said lately about the decline of the book industry due to the increasing popularity of ebooks, but this year the fair was even bigger than in previous years. Four pavilions were packed with publishers, artists, and other industry associations, and there was a total of 33,318 visitors. 

Q: What five words describe this year's fair?

Steven: If I had to describe the fair in five words, they would be: spectacular, talented, enthusiastic, connections, and future.

Q: Post-Bologna, what's the next move for Yeon Agency?

Steven: After Bologna, Yeon is filled with renewed energy. It is clear that ties for the industry, artists, and consumers across the Eastern and Western hemispheres are getting stronger. We saw this in the strong presence of Asian artists at the fair, contributing their voices to the industry, and in the interest Western audiences had in these Eastern voices. In the coming years, we will see many more titles from Asia reach the Western world, and vice versa. This cultural exchange is not only seen in the book industry but also in film, animation, video games, and more. It will be essential to keep an eye on the trends that emerge in both the East and the West.

We were also elated to see some of the publications we've been working on over the past year on the stands of our publishing partners. Click on the links below to find out more about the illustrators of these books and to a purchase a copy! 

Esther Hernando – Maggie Sparks series 

Ela Smietanka – A Fun Yoga Story series

Kathryn Selbert – 100 First Facts / 100 First Words

After meetings with both new and existing clients, we're excited to venture into new opportunities and projects. If you'd like to enquire about potential projects, our artists, or meetings with our agents, please do not hesitate to contact us via email ([email protected]). You can also check out our artist roster via our website here. 

Yeon Agency connects international freelance illustrators with the right publishers and creative businesses around the world. Headquartered in Singapore, we bridge continents and cultures to provide a diverse roster of illustrators for publishing, advertising, and art licensing.