Children's
Literature
Industry
Days

19-21 November
2025

All children’s authors and illustrators, agents and publishers, students and professionals, enthusiasts and lovers are invited to CREATOR ISLAND – three days of lectures, training sessions and networking opportunities for those working or interested in the children’s book industry.

THIS YEAR’S FOCUS

This year's tagline Chapter of Change invites us to explore whether today’s children's and teen books are keeping pace with a rapidly changing world. Are authors still looking back to their own childhoods, or are they openly addressing the challenges facing humanity today?

We are delighted to have Italy as this year’s guest of honour, and to be organising the 2025 event in collaboration with Accademia Drosselmeier.
Join us to meet talented authors, illustrators, publishers and children's book specialists!

Early bird tickets on sale from October 1!

VENUES

• Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library

• Vilnius Literary House

• Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts

• Vilnius University

Speakers

Beatrice Masini

Italy
Children’s and YA writer, translator, editor, and publishing professional, based in Milano, Italy. Beatrice has been working in publishing for more than thirty years, holding various roles including journalist, translator, editor, author, and head of publishing. Her books, mainly for children and young adults, have been translated worldwide and have won numerous awards.

Giovanni Colaneri

Italy
Author and illustrator, Italian Children’s Laureate for 2025–2027. Giovanni collaborates with Italian and international publishers, magazines, and private clients. His books have been published in South Korea, Spain, France, Germany, Iran, and Brazil. In 2024, his book Blob won the Piccolo Galileo First Prize.

Tzu-Chung Chang

Taiwan
Illustrator and picturebook maker, based in Taiwan. Tzu-Chun Chang holds an MA in Children’s Book Illustration. Her debut picturebook Today is the Day was selected for the 2022 BolognaRagazzi Award BRAW Amazing Bookshelf. Her books have been translated into several languages.

Fabio Geda

Italy
Writer, based in Turin, Italy. Fabio used to work as an educator with disadvantaged children and teenagers, which is why he writes stories about growing up, educational issues and intergenerational dialogue. Fabio has published several novels and non-fiction books for both adults and young readers.

Triinu Laan

Estonia
Children’s writer, based in South Estonia. Triinu’s books carry a local touch and reflect her wish to connect children with their grandparents and earlier generations. She believes childhood should be both wild and safe, and that children can engage with serious topics.

Chiara Carminati

Italy
Poet, novelist, and picturebook writer, based in Udine, Italy. Chiara collaborates with other artists on shows and creative workshops. Her books have won the Andersen Prize and the Strega Ragazzi e Ragazze Award, and she has translated the complete works of Beatrix Potter as well as works by other significant children’s book authors.

Anna Spreafico

Italy
Freelance illustrator, based in Milan, Italy. Anna works with clients worldwide in commercial and children’s publishing. Her works, often focused on nature and animals with a humorous yet meaningful touch, have been featured in international competitions and exhibitions, including Golden Pinwheel 2023 and BCBF Buchmesse Frankfurt 2024.

Giulia Rizzo

Italy
Children’s fiction editor, based in Milan, Italy. Giulia graduated in Modern Literature at the University of Milan with a thesis on Matilda by Roald Dahl and collaborated with the Roald Dahl Museum in the UK. She has worked as editor for Terre di Mezzo, Il Battello a Vapore–Piemme, and HarperCollins Italia, and is currently Deputy Editorial Director at Terre di Mezzo Editore.

Marco Ghidelli

Italy
Publisher and graphic designer, based in Berlin, Germany. Marco Ghidelli began his career at Corraini Edizioni. In 2012, he co-founded RAUM Italic, an independent publishing house and design studio focused on illustrated children’s books, graphic design, art, and architecture. In 2024, he served as a juror for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair illustrators’ exhibition.

Reda Tomingas

Lithuania | Estonia
Illustrator and zookeeper. Reda has illustrated over 30 children’s books and novel covers in Lithuania and Estonia. Part-time ceramist, part-time pole dancer. Originally from Lithuania, she has been living in Estonia for nearly a decade.

2024:

Organizers

Kotryna Zylė

Writer, Illustrator,
Founder of Creator Island

Justinas Vancevičius

Head of literature promotion program
"Vaikų žemė (Children's World)",
Founder of Creator Island

Greta Alice

Illustrator, Comics artist,
Coordinator of Creator Island

Jurga Tumasonytė

Writer, Author of Creator Island
guests' interviews

Illustration: Reda Tomingas
Design: Miglė Vasiliauskaitė
Translation: Audronė Kvietkutė

Event organised by

Centre for School Improvement
Reading promotion programme CHILDREN'S WORLD
ACCADEMIA DROSSELMEIER

Partners

Lithuanian Culture Institute
Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library
IBBY Lithuania
Lithuanian Publishers Association
Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature
Vilniaus Academy of Arts
Vilnius University Philology Faculty
MRU Institute of Humanities
Lithuanian Writers’ Union
Literatūra ir menas
"Būkčia" kombucha
"Mulate" chocolate

Financially supported by

Lithuanian Council for Culture
Vilnius Municipality

Under the patronage of

Ambasciata d'Italia Vilnius,
Istituto Italiano di Cultura