Picture Book Capturing Korean Sentiment with Film Camera Wins Bologna Ragazzi Award Grand Prize

Jinju and Gahi's "If You Want to Eat a Red Apple" Wins Bologna Ragazzi Grand Prize
Award Recognizes the Best Children's Book of the Year Worldwide
Capturing Korean Sentiment with Film Camera: Linoleum Floors, Mother-of-Pearl Cabinets, and More

The book "If You Want to Eat a Red Apple" (Fingerbooks) by Jinju, a writer, and Gahi, a photographer, won the 'Opera Prima' Grand Prize, the newcomer award of the Bologna Ragazzi Award, a world-renowned honor in the field of children's books.

Cover image of the book 'If You Want to Eat a Red Apple'. Provided by the Korea Publishing Culture Association

According to the Korea Publishers Association on the 20th, although Korean authors have previously received several Opera Prima Excellence Awards, this is the first time they have won the grand prize.

"If You Want to Eat a Red Apple" is a picture book based on photographs taken with a film camera. It depicts the growth of children against backgrounds featuring Korean elements such as old linoleum flooring, mother-of-pearl cabinets, and rural bus stops.

Gahi, the photographer of the photos included in the book, said, "This award was possible because of the passion of my first challenge and the support from those around me," adding, "I am grateful and will live diligently so that this energy does not diminish."

The Bologna Ragazzi Award is given at the Bologna Children's Book Fair to children's books published worldwide during the year. There are five categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Opera Prima, Comics, and Toddler. Each category selects one grand prize winner and two to three excellence awardees. Among these, Opera Prima is awarded to the first work of a new author.

'Mr. Star' awarded the Bologna Ragazzi Crossmedia Prize. Bologna International Children's Book Fair website

Handamhee's book "Uncle Star" received the 'Bologna Ragazzi Crossmedia Award.' This award is given to works that expand the original book into other media such as audiobooks and videos.

Publisher Biryongso was named one of the 30 finalists for the 'Best Children's Publisher of the Year' (BOP). The winning publisher will be announced at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

The Bologna Children's Book Fair has been held annually in Bologna, Italy since 1963 and is celebrating its 62nd edition this year. The Publishers Association plans to operate an exhibition hall for Korean publishers at this year's fair, held from March 31 to April 3, supporting exhibitions and publishing copyright transactions.