Australian publishers on Bologna Prize shortlist

Three Australian publishers have been shortlisted for the 2026 Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year. Publishers shortlisted in the Oceania category are:

• Affirm Press (Australia)
• Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing (Australia)
• Messy Press (Aotearoa New Zealand)
• Wild Dog Books (Australia)
• Au vent des îles (Tahiti, French Polynesia).

Organised by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and the Italian Publishers Association in partnership with the International Publishers Association, the prize awards those publishers who have “most distinguished themselves for their professional and intellectual skills” in each of the 6 areas of the world: Africa; Asia; Caribbean, Central and South America; Europe; North America; and Oceania.

At the same time, “the prize is designed to foster a mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas among different countries, areas and cultural identities across the world,” said organisers.

The winners will be announced during the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, 13–16 April 2026.

Category: Think Australian awards