Guide to the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026 - The Good Ship Illustration

Absolutely knackered just thinking about Bologna? Same 😅Here are our Bologna Children’s Book Fair survival tips. Whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned Bologna Book Fair-er. Exciting news: The Good Ship Illustration is exhibiting this year in Hall 25, and we’d love to see you there!This episode:What even IS the Bologna Children’s Book Fair?Whether you reeeally need to goThe biggest benefits of visitingWhat to pack, what samples to take, and how to prepare wellHow to manage your expectations / social battery / overwhelmThe best bits beyond the fair itself, including food, bookshops and wandering round BolognaFollowing up afterwards and making the most of the contacts you makeTimestamps:00:00 Intro, replay announcement, and come find us in Hall 25!01:00 What is the Bologna Children’s Book Fair?03:00 Should you go?05:00 Benefits of visiting the fair06:00 Talks, workshops and folio reviews07:00 Bologna itself, food, sunshine and bookshops08:00 The illustrator’s wall and what to stick on it09:00 Accommodation tips and booking early11:00 Tickets, discounts and Good Ship lanyards12:00 Managing expectations and not turning it into a military operation16:00 What to prepare and what samples to take19:00 Dummy books, sketchbooks and standing out20:00 The Bologna Illustrators Exhibition22:00 Feeling overwhelmed, comparitis and pacing yourself25:00 Practical survival tips, from snacks to spare batteries28:00 Why the last day can be surprisingly good29:00 Rest, museums, gelato and giving yourself permission not to do it all30:00 Following up after the fair31:00 Final tips, meetups and lanyard spottingLinks mentioned in this episode:Download and print your Bologna lanyard here!!Bologna Children’s Book Fair websiteIllustrator Survival CornerInuit bookshop, BolognaByeeee for now!x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)Come and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙