“Stories of kindness and celebrating diversity and culture”: A BOP-shortlisted publisher on what’s resonating globally
On the eve of Bologna Book Fair, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing rights manager Evie Green is one of a reduced cohort of Australians still planning to make the trip, and she has good reason. Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing is among three Australian publishers nominated for the 2026 Bologna Prize (BOP).
Nominated alongside Affirm Press and Wild Dog Books, the Melbourne-based publisher Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing (HGCP) says being shortlisted for the 2026 Bologna Prize has already “brought us some new international publishing contacts who have found us because of the promotion around the Bologna Prize”.
“We anticipate receiving more interest from, and building connections with, new international publishers during the fair and following the announcement of the winner,” says Green, pointing out that it was the publisher’s international rights activity that contributed to the shortlisting in the first place.
“We strive to grow the profile of Australian authors and illustrators in the global market,” says Green. “The shortlist […] is awarded to children’s publishing houses most recommended in their geographical area by publishers and publishers’ associations worldwide. I believe our regular contact with our network of international publishers, and our list of children’s titles across all ages that continue to resonate with international audiences, has driven publishers to recommend us for the Bologna Prize.”
Green says HGCP offers “innovative, inclusive, and entertaining books from tots to teens” and highlights a range that is “diverse in content and across genre and age”. From its Figment imprint for “the best and boldest graphic novels in Australia” to the key product Green has high hopes for at the fair – a Barbie-pink collaboration between Mattel and Australian fashion illustrator Megan Hess – this range is obvious at a glance.
But Green emphasises the through line in the publisher’s program: “With modern families and children at the core of everything we do, we have built our success on stories of kindness, diversity, resilience, and courage to reflect the world we live in, and the world we want to build.”
Green says this was now striking a chord. “With recent global conflicts and economic struggles, stories of kindness and celebrating diversity and culture have become more important globally, and we have seen this in the requests we receive from international publishers for our titles.”
Green says it would be an honour to win the Bologna Prize. “[We] believe the quality of our publishing, the stories we publish, and our global rights strategy, put us in a good position to win.”
As to what HGCP has high hopes for at the fair? “[We] are delighted to be publishing and selling international rights to a stunning landmark collaboration between internationally bestselling author and fashion illustrator Megan Hess [pictured] and global fashion icon Barbie,” says Green. “This capsule collection of high-quality, design-led children’s books reimagines Barbie through high-fashion illustration while highlighting her legacy in the fashion world.”
The six-book collection will launch in October 2026 across Australia, the US and the UK, and includes “an encyclopaedic history, a pop-up showcase of Barbie’s most iconic looks, colouring titles for all ages, and interactive how-to-draw and sticker books for younger readers”.
Green says the broad appeal for fans and collectors means the publisher is “anticipating significant interest at Bologna Book Fair, where we will be launching the collection to international publishers”.
Category: Think Australian profile
