Norway as Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026 – Illustration Exhibition and Selection of Illustrators
In April 2026, Norway will be Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the world’s largest book fair dedicated to children’s and young adult literature. The Guest of Honour project offers a unique opportunity to showcase Norwegian literature for young readers and to highlight the high artistic quality of illustration from Norway.
Each Guest of Honour country curates a large illustration exhibition displayed prominently at the fairgrounds.
Norway’s exhibition will present the rich variety and artistic excellence of illustrations created for children’s and YA books and comics. The exhibition will also reflect the diversity of styles and expressions found in Norwegian illustration today. The works included must have been published in a book or comic for children or young readers by a publisher in Norway, preferably within the past ten years. The exhibition area will cover approximately 330 m².
The selection of illustrators has now been made
The illustrators were chosen by a professional jury appointed by NORLA, based on nominations from organisations within the book industry. The selection follows defined criteria, and considerations of impartiality have been observed.
The jury consists of Øyvind Torseter (chair), Hilde Hodnefjeld, Marianne Gretteberg Engedal, Nora Dåsnes, and Stian Hole.
The list of selected works will be announced at a later date.
The illustrators
Akin Duzakin
Alice Lima de Faria
Anja Dahle Øverbye
Anna Fiske
Annika Linn Verdal Homme
Bendik Kaltenborn
Bjørn Ousland
Bjørn Rune Lie
Camilla Kuhn
Eivind Gulliksen
Gry Moursund
Henriette T. Osnes
Hilde Hodnefjeld
Ida Larmo
Ida Neverdahl
Inga Sætre
Inger Lise Belsvik
Jannicke Hansen
Jenny Jordahl
John S. Jamtli
Kaia Dahle Nyhus
Kari Stai
Kim Hiorthøy
Kine Kjær
Kjersti Synneva Moen
Kristin Roskifte
Lene Ask
Lisa Aisato
Magnhild Winsnes
Malin Falch
Mari Kanstad Johnsen
Marianne Gretteberg Engedal
Martin Ernstsen
Martin Hvattum
Nora Brech
Nora Dåsnes
Per Dybvig
Ragnar Aalbu
Sigbjørn Lilleeng
Sissel Horndal
Stian Hole
Sunniva Sunde Krogseth
Svein Nyhus
Trude Tjensvold
Xueting Yang
Zarina Saidova
Øyvind Torseter
Åshild Irgens
Åshild Kanstad Johnsen
Read more
See more information on the Norwegian “Guest of Honour project”
