A Look Back at the 4th Children’s Book Festival at the DAI Heidelberg

We’ve just had a thoroughly successful festival weekend full of stories, encounters and creative discoveries! The fourth edition of our children’s book festival delighted visitors with readings, workshops, a bilingual book fair and a wide range of hands-on activities. In total, we reached over 1,500 children and adults – including more than 1,000 children at events at the DAI and in schools in collaboration with Paedaktiv, as well as around 500 visitors over the festival weekend.

As early as Thursday and Friday, numerous school classes immersed themselves in the world of books. A particular highlight was the reading by Margit Auer, who presented the latest instalment in her popular series *Die Schule der magischen Tiere* (*The School of Magical Animals*). In the evening, Isabel Abedi transported the audience to Tuscany with her novel *Die längste Nacht* (*The Longest Night*), accompanied musically by Sarah Schueddekopf. During the subsequent panel discussion, ‘Stories that inspire courage’, Isabel Abedi, Isabel Pin, Andrea Wandinger and Efua Traoré discussed representation and the sensitive handling of complex topics in children’s literature.

Over the weekend, the Bilingual Book Fair invited visitors to browse and discover. The workshop discussion with Andrea Wandinger and the illustration workshops with Isabel Pin offered fascinating insights into creative processes. Hands-on activities such as shared reading, group philosophical discussions and illustrating poems provided children with diverse, playful ways to engage with literature and fostered their enjoyment of reading, storytelling and creative expression. A particular highlight was the storytelling of Kathleen Rappolt, who, together with the musician Erik Sjøholm, wove language, theatricality and music together in a fascinating way, demonstrating the expressive power that can be unleashed with just a few, effectively employed elements. Erik Sjøholm also provided musical accompaniment to Isabel Pin’s live illustrations. The festival drew to a atmospheric close with a joint performance of *Freedombird*, which captivated the audience.

We were particularly delighted by the great enthusiasm shown by the children and families, as well as the positive feedback from our contributors and partners. With its linguistic, cultural and thematic diversity, the festival has once again demonstrated how books can spark curiosity, open up new perspectives and bring people together.

A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, partners and guests who made this festival so special. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Bettina Wodianka
Festival Director | on behalf of the DAI team

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Impressions of the Children’s Book Festival

“The festival leaves you wanting more – more books, more discussion, more discovery.”

Silvia Schröer – Author/Translator

 

“The Childrens book festival in Heidelberg 2026 was absolutely fantastic! What a wonderful opportunity to connect with other artists and people from all corners of the world to learn more about the relevant stories of these days us!”

Erik Sjoholm – Storyteller/Musician

 

“I thought the festival and the atmosphere were brilliant. It was very convivial and friendly. I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere in the library at the weekend. The children who attended my readings were very enthusiastic and happy, but also curious.”

Isabel Pin – Illustrator/Author/Workshop Instructor

 

“A festival where you could meet authors and artists face to face, all in the DAI’s cheerful and friendly atmosphere – what a lovely weekend! We’re already looking forward to the fifth edition!”

Susanne Holoch, Murmelei Children’s and Young Adult Bookshop, partner organisation

 

“Anything that motivates children to read is valuable! Getting to know the real-life ‘Isabel Pin’ – the author hidden within the books – and hearing from her how the book came about and what research went into it is, of course, something quite special! At the book festival, the reading allowed the children to immerse themselves in another world and experience how people (survive) under completely different conditions… so it also inspires me as a teacher, making my lessons much more lively and organic!”

EMILIA Waldschule

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