Frankfurt Kids

Be there when Margit Auer transforms our big fair stage into a magical pet shop when she reads from “Die Schule der magischen Tiere - Ach du Schreck” (The School of Magical Animals – Oh My Goodness), the latest volume of her successful series. It takes place on fair Saturday at 10.30 am in Harmonie hall. Reading for children aged 8 and over.

Experience bestselling author Cornelia Funke live as she reads from her latest novel “Tintenwelt 4 – Die Farbe der Rache” (Inkheart 4 – The Colour of Revenge) on fair Saturday at 12.30 pm in Harmonie hall. Reading for young people aged 14 and over.

On fair Sunday, “Kangaroo Chronicles” creator Marc-Uwe Kling will read from his new children's book “Das Klugscheißerchen” (Little Smarty Pants). Be there from 4.00 pm in Harmonie hall. Reading for children aged 6 and over.

Rhyming statues, grinning skulls, eerie mythical creatures and you – right in the middle of it. Kerstin Gier reads from her “Vergiss Mein Nicht” (Forget-Me-Not) trilogy on fair Saturday at 2.30 pm in Harmonie hall.

Experience highlights for all age groups in our children's programme in Frankfurt Pavilion. Look forward to exciting live events with Alice Pantermüller, Daniela Kohl, Katja Brandis and many others!

Attention all detective fans: “Die drei ???” is the German version of “The Three Investigators” and they want to solve their latest case with you. Be there when authors/illustrators Christoph Tauber and Calle Claus bring their graphic novel “Hotel Bigfoot” to life at a multimedia reading event – on fair Saturday at 2.00 pm in Frankfurt Studio.

Experience the cosplay community’s annual highlight! Come to the German Cosplay Championship finals on fair Sunday and share in the excitement as the country’s best cosplayers present their costumes to a jury of experts.

To celebrate the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse, you and your family can look forward to exciting activities offered by our anniversary partners: young visitors can take part in a drawing lesson with Nina Dulleck, the illustrator of “The School of Magical Animals”, the big Fakriro fair rally, as well as many other surprises.

Where would Children’s and Young Adult literature be without Preußler’s “The Robber Hotzenplotz”, “The Little Witch” or “Krabat”? Be there live when we celebrate 100 years of Ottfried Preußler – at the big anniversary talk on fair Saturday at 12 noon at Frankfurt Studio. Moderated by Tilman Spreckelsen (FAZ) and Ute Wegmann (Deutschlandfunk).

Look forward to events for the whole family – at the colourful children's and young adult programme on the Open Stage. Highlights include children's book illustrator Benjamin Lacombe, fantasy author Lexi Ryan, “Let's Dance” jury member Motsi Mabuse, pop singer Sasha and many more!

Four children's book publishers on one stage! Carlsen Verlag, arsEdition, Thienemann-Esslinger and Hörbuch Hamburg will appear on a joint pop-up event stage (Hall 3.0 G 103). Visitors can see German rock star and "Tabaluga" singer Peter Maffay live and meet children’s book heroes such as the Robber Hotzenplotz, Conni, and Bobble the Little Bumblebee. There will also be readings and talks with Julia Dippel, Lexi Ryan, Hendrikje Balsmeyer and many other international authors of Children’s and Young Adult literature.

Beyond the fairgrounds, there are many events for the entire family as part of the BOOKEST cultural festival, taking place in bookshops and libraries throughout the region.

On fair Wednesday, Axel Scheffler will read from his illustrated classic “Grüffelo” (The Gruffalo), at St Elisabeth church’s community centre. Fair Friday is our first ever city-wide read-aloud and interactive day, hosted by Frankfurt’s city libraries. There, attendees can enjoy readings, engage in games, participate in art sessions, or tackle an Escape Room challenge. At the Struwwelpeter Museum, young book enthusiasts can expect an array of live events, including readings and book-signing sessions.