Category Archives: All ages

DU in Italy: SOIS Students at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair

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In early April, an intrepid group of SOIS students set off on a trek across the globe in search of the newest and best literature for young people. Sounds exciting, right? Well, it is! New books and gelato around every corner. Getting to meet world famous authors and stuff yourself with tortellini. Learning from and with a group of passionate book-people and exploring a new country with your colleagues.

Maybe you’ll join us in 2027? Here’s what you can expect…

Exploring Bologna: Gorgeous Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and home to the oldest university in the world (University of Bologna was founded in 1088!). Known as the Fat City (for mouthwatering food), the Red City (for the red-tiled roofs and leftist politics), and the Learned City (for the university), Bologna has something for everyone’s tastes. Explore the endless list of restaurants and markets, but be sure to try the tortellini or Bolognese that the region is known for. Wander the very-walkable city for amazing architectural sites spanning from the Etruscans to modern times. The stunning Biblioteca Salborsa (main library) and associated city government buildings are some of my favorite spots to explore. Or spend your first day in one (or many) of the free museums dotting the city—occupying your mind and belly is a great way to fight the first day jet lag!

Small cup of green gelato
Vegan pistachio gelato–yum!
Libreria Per Raggazi, Bologna (my favorite children’s book store in the city.)
This excavation is hiding right under the main library, with ruins going back to the the 1st century BC.

Excursion to Florence: Bologna is a great jumping off point to explore the region. In past years, DU students have ventured to Modena, Verona, Florence, Ravenna, and more. This year, the group decided on a day in Florence to explore museums, gardens, churches, and more. The ItaliaRail express train gets you there in just 37 minutes and gives plenty of time to get your 20,000 steps in before heading back to Bologna.

A visit to the Pitti Palace
Famous sandwiches of Italy 🙂
View of Florence from the Boboli Gardens

BCBF Day 1: Then to the main event—book fair day. The class joined thousands of book industry professionals in a celebration and exploration of kid lit from around the world for the 63rd year of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Did you know nearly 40% of all international kid’s book rights are bought and sold right here? The scope and scale of the event are massive, spanning five halls of the sprawling Bologna Fiere conference complex. Day one highlights include: the lovely opening ceremonies, early childhood reading experiences through play and fairytales, and a fantastic program focusing on children’s reading habits from around the world (and what we can learn from each other’s data).

BCBF Day 2: More to see and do with the global community of book lovers! The fair includes awards, programming, author and illustrator presentations, visual showcases, and publisher booths (for showing off and the buying/selling of international book rights). Day two highlights include: the new BBPLUS AI Summit, programming focused on reading promotion, and Jacqueline Woodson’s in conversation with Maria Russo on “The Global Majority and the Future of International Children’s Publishing.”                                                      

Some familiar DU faces at an early literacy event.

Individual travel: SOIS students branched out on their own this year too, exploring Rome and Venice on their free day or before/after the official class travel. If you’re already headed to Italy, you should check some extra things off the bucket list while you’re traveling, right?

Sneak Peek at 2027: Keep an eye out for an official Information Session in Fall 2026 to discuss the Spring 2027 course, including coursework, itinerary, associated costs, and more. And save the date for travel—BCBF 2027 will take place April 5-8, 2027, with Poland as the guest of honor country. Are you an SOIS alum or interested in participating as a student at large? Reach out to butler@dom.edu with questions. Arrivederci, friends!

Food and Family: Scrumptious books for the season to come

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If you too are ready to move from spooky tales to warm and cozy stories, do I have some suggestions for you. Brand new (2025) books of family, friends, and food just in time for the season of abundance. Enjoy these reads with your best book buddy, an extra cozy blanket, and your favorite stretchy pants.

PICTURE BOOKS:

Family Feast!
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison
Random House Children’s Books
Age 4-8
September 23, 2025

When this multi-generational family gathers for a party, no one will leave without a full belly and a full heart. “Tastes like home when family meets; bond so warm, so strong, so sweet.” This hug of a refrain anchors a poetic picture of a joyful day of food, family, connection and home. Vibrant colors and bold strokes of oil paint perfectly capture the action and emotion of a large and loving (and loud if they’re like mine!) extended family.

Owl’s Fall Feast Fiasco
Written by Kristen Rememar and illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Charlesbridge
Age 3-7
September 5, 2025

Menu planning for a party is stressful! Especially as Owl attempts to impress his favorite didgeridoo musician and learns that he doesn’t really even understand the tastes of his closest friends. By asking questions and accepting their different palates, Owl learns that gathering with friends is the most important part of a feast. The combination of speech bubbles, graphic-like panels, and full-page spreads allow unique animal personalities to eclipse stereotypes in this ode to a forest Friendsgiving.

MIDDLE GRADE:

Witchycakes: Sweet Magic
Written by Kara LaRue and Illustrated by Ariane Moreira
Random House Children’s Books
Age 6-9
August 19, 2025

“In a magical bakery by the sea, live a witch and a witch-to-be…” Blue and their mama bake up tasty treats with a little magic and a lot of love. While making the deliveries, Blue gets to practice different bits of magic as they try to help their friends and neighbors. This delightful early chapter book blends themes of independence and community spirit with the gentle lesson of learning from our mistakes. Whimsical, candy-colored illustrations complement the story and showcase a diverse and vibrant community full of heart.

The Secret of Honeycake
Written by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Knopf
Age 8-12
January 21, 2025

In the midst of the Great Depression, a young girl named Hurricane is forced by family tragedy to move in with an intimidating great aunt and her kind-hearted servant. Through her insecurity and grief, she learns about the ways of caregiving, the importance of using her voice, and the magic that can come from sharing food cooked with love.

NONFICTION:

Sweet and Salty! King Arthur Company’s Cookbook for Young Bakers
Written by King Arthur Baking with Jessica Battilana and Yekaterina Boytsova
Photography by Rick Holbrook and illustrated by Jordan Sondler
Simon & Schuster
Age 8-12
September 30, 2025

For anyone new to baking—no matter the age—King Arthur’s new title is just the guide for those looking to share love through food this holiday season. Full of tips for getting started, skills tutorials like how to “just fold it in!” (a photo guide titled “What is folding and how do you do it?”), equipment lists, and plenty of recipes for sweet and savory treats. Mouthwatering photography, fun and funny graphics, and easy to follow instructions are blended into the most delicious book for all aspiring bakers.

When Alexander Graced the Table
Written by Alexander Smalls and Denene Millner and illustrated by Frank Morrison
Simon and Schuster
Age 4-8
January 7, 2025

Inspired by family and food, this is the origin story of a young boy who would grow to be a James Beard Award-winning chef. Always enamored of Sunday dinners with his family, Alexander Smalls used his new kitchen skills to make a sweet surprise for his father and family to enjoy. Morrison’s oils capture both the thoughtful and ambitious boy and the emotions that inspired him. This would make a lovely non-fiction companion to Family Feast.

YOUNG ADULT:

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories
Edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
HarperCollins Publishers/Heartdrum
August 26, 2025
12+

Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In is everywhere and nowhere all at once. Each piece of this anthology takes place against the backdrop of the drive-in, as teenagers from Alaska to Hawai’i enjoy traditional foods, comfort snacks, and a little bit of magic to provide just what they need when they need it. As they deal with hallmark challenges of young adulthood—grief, love, jealousy, friendship, and family—they make connections within, beyond, and between Indigenous cultures.

Love Craves Cardamom
Written by Aashna Avachat
Random House Children’s Books/Joy Revolution
Age 13+
May 20, 2025

Archi is an American Desi HS student studying abroad in Jaipur and hoping for a “boy-free semester.” Shiv is a mysterious boy who wants to show her the city in all its delicious vibrancy, even when he’s not ready to show his true self. This lighthearted YA rom-com is a story of growth, culture, self-awareness, agency, and the way that food can nurture us—body, heart, and soul.

Here’s to a delicious season of thankfulness for you and yours. May your hearts, bellies, and bookshelves be full!