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 books for children and teen are keeping up with the rapidly changing world. Are authors still looking back to their own childhood, 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 bringing the 2025 event in collaboration with Accademia Drosselmeier.
Join us and meet talented authors, illustrators, publishers and children's book specialists!

VENUES

• Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library

• Vilnius Literary House

• Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts

• Vilnius University

Programme

Wednesday,
November 19

VISUAL JOY
DAY

Lectures, Q&A sessions, skill-sharing activities

Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library (Trakų str. 10),
the Great Hall
10:00-13:30
Giovanni Colaneri (IT), Marco Ghidelli (IT/DE), Anna Spreafico (IT).
Ticketed event >>
(In English)

Vilnius Academy of Arts
Afternoon (time TBC)
Tzu-Chun Chang (TW)
Free entry — registration details to be announced
(In English)

Thursday,
November 20

WORD CRAFT
DAY

Lectures, Q&A sessions, skill-sharing activities

Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library (Trakų str. 10),
the Great Hall
10:00-13:30
Beatrice Masini (IT), Giulia Rizzo (IT), Chiara Carminati (IT).
Ticketed event >>
(In English)

Vilnius University, Faculty of Philology
Afternoon (time TBC)
Fabio Geda (IT)
Free entry — registration details to be announced
(In English)

Friday,
November 21

INSPIRATION
DAY

Portfolio reviews

CREATOR EVENING
Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library (Trakų str. 10), the Great Hall
16:00-20:00
Reda Tomingas (LT/EE), Beatrice Masini (IT), Giovanni Colaneri (IT),
Triinu Laan (EE)

Ticketed event >>
(In English)

19.30 Closing party

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 aimed at children and young adults, have been translated worldwide and 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-Chun Chang

Taiwan
Illustrator and picture book maker based in Taiwan. Tzu-Chun Chang holds an MA in Children’s Book Illustration. Her debut picture book Today is the Day was selected for the 2022 Bologna Ragazzi Award BRAW Amazing Bookshelf. Tzu-Chun’s 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 southern 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 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, part-time ceramicist and part-time pole dancer. Reda has illustrated over 30 children’s books and novel covers in Lithuania and Estonia. Originally from Lithuania, she has been based 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