Children's Book Festival!

The Children's Book Festival takes over Annantalo's gallery spaces from October 2026 to February 2027 - for four months, Finnish picture books are showcased in all their glory. Featuring a hundred illustrators, forty children's authors, and books by the stack. The festival opens with carnival festivities on October 6.

In three exhibition spaces, picture books grow off the page into three-dimensional worlds. Themes range from nature and seasons to home, emotions, imagination, and the built environment. The exhibition spaces include reading corners, non-stop workshops, exploration-inspiring activities, and educational materials.

The programme features illustrator and author visits, performances and concerts in Annasali, and seminars on the importance of reading. All genres of children's literature are represented - from picture books to poetry, non-fiction to board books.

The event is organized by the Children's Book Festival Association in collaboration with Helsinki's cultural services. Festival design: Suvi-Tuuli Junttila.