Illustration students explore Bologna Children’s Book Fair
16 April 2025
Credit: Jessica Jenkins
Students on Falmouth’s undergraduate Illustration degrees came together earlier this month at Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the world’s leading fair for children’s publishing.
Gathering in the historic capital of Italy’s northern Emilia-Romagna region, the group of both on-campus and online students, academics and tutors gathered to attend the annual event, encountering over 1,500 professional publishers, illustrators and authors working across the global children’s publishing industry.
As well as soaking up the creative atmosphere of the fair, students were able to book in portfolio reviews with professionals, visit 15 different exhibitions of world-class work, listen to industry talks from illustrators, publishers and agents, and take part in masterclasses and workshops.
There was also plenty of time to socialise and explore Bologna, including attending a reportage drawing session with artist Peter Blodau in the main Piazza Maggiore.
Lecturer Jessica Jenkins was involved in organising the trip and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She told us: “Bologna is stunning with its terracotta colours, arched walkways and long April shadows. One of our students even secured a publishing deal from the fair and several others have been asked to keep in contact with publishers.”
Student Alison enjoyed being immersed in the industry. She explained “The trip was very stimulating and thought provoking. I realised that we are part of a worldwide industry in children's book publishing, and every nation wants to give their young people the best possible start in life by encouraging curiosity through reading and enjoying books. Children's literature and the pictures that go with them are equally important and are so influential in the shaping and informing of young minds.”
Fellow student Maria found the trip to be a personal confidence boost. She shared: “Showing my work to others, especially industry professionals, seemed scary at first, but I have gained valuable feedback and insight into the industry and towards the end of the fair, I noticed that I had become more confident and less afraid of feedback.”
For the online students, the trip was not only a chance to network but also to meet their peers – whom they spend so much time with studying online – in-person, as online student Cat shared: “It was eye opening to see the scope of the market and how the industry worked, and also fantastic to meet with others on the course in person.”
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