Courage, energy, fun, cooperation, shrewdness, gratitude, admiration... These are some of the terms that are intertwined throughout the story The grandmother has a lot of energy (Editorial Octaedro) with the energy that Carme Puxan, the protagonist of the story, carries throughout her journey in Ecuador. The book, written by her son, Francesc Balagué, illustrated by Joana Bruna, and available since April at Joanabruna.com, tells the adventures of the grandmother of Luka, 12 years old, and Kael, 9 years old, who also appear in the story.

Fantasy books, mystery books, dystopian stories, personal diaries, and traditional tales with block letters, cursive letters, or print letters. And sagas, many sagas. Students from Institut Escola Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona, aged 4 to 15, have recommended their favorite books to us, as well as those that once opened the door to the enjoyment of reading. These are their recommendations for this Sant Jordi.

At a time when armed conflicts dominate the news, it's important to remember that children are also aware of them and interested in what's happening in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere, and all that stems from it: the violence and death, the hunger and poverty, the power and vulnerability, the disrupted daily lives, and the fear. We can avoid these topics altogether, or we can find sensitive ways to address them, and literature can be one of those paths. This was the starting point of the 10th Publishing-Education Symposium, held on October 28th at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the University of Girona, with the participation of Pablo Larraguibel, editor at Ekaré, and Blanca Andelic, a technician from the Pla de l'Estany-Banyoles Social Welfare Consortium.

Gabriel Janer Manila He has reached the age of 85 with a brand new book fresh off the press, Gallery of Solitudes (New Moll Publishing House, 2025), and several projects in mind. The career of the Mallorcan writer, born in Algaida on November 1, 1940, has been one of the most prolific and recognized of his generation, and he has received awards such as the Josep Pla Prize (in 1971 with The alicorns), the San Juan (The rivers of Babylon, 1984), Charlemagne (The Burned Gardens, 1997) and Ramon Llull (Tigers, 2007).

It's hard to find a gap in Rocío Bonilla's (Badalona, ​​1970) schedule at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, between roundtables, workshops, and interviews with Mexican media. She even met behind closed doors with the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, this Monday morning. Thanks to her picture books, Bonilla has amassed tens of thousands of readers, and not long ago she surpassed Mercè Rodoreda as the most translated Catalan author. While Rodoreda's works have 226 translations, Bonilla's are about to reach 250.

Just as Sant Jordi approaches, the Catalan Children's and Young Adult Book Council (IBBYcat) recognized the 35 best Catalan-authored books of 2024 in this genre this Wednesday at an event at the Bologna Book Fair chaired by the Minister of Culture, Sònia Hernández. Based on this selection, the works will be chosen to be included in the catalog of the best books published in Spain. In addition, the works will be eligible to be included in the prestigious The White Ravens list, which each year highlights 200 books from more than 50 countries and more than 50 languages.

Since 2010, FLIC, the children's and youth literature and arts festival, has opened its doors each year to a literature-filled haven within Barcelona's Disseny Hub. The Tantágora association team, led by Magalí Homs, is doing everything possible to spread the reading habit with storytelling, shadow puppetry, costumes, and discovery spaces for children. FLIC, which takes place on March 22 and 23 (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), seeks to instill a passion for literature in babies, children, and young people, while working with teachers and cultural facilities to promote reading.

It's the story of a woman who draws and a woman who writes—they like to call themselves that. He discovered her online. He looked up her contact information, wrote to her, and they met. He explained his project to her. She listened. When they said goodbye, he thought he'd never see her again. Now, more than ten years later, they're close friends, almost family, and I'm telling you about it because they're also one of the most beloved duos in our children's literature.

It's always a good time to encourage a love of reading. We recommend several titles for all ages and tastes to get your children hooked on books. This selection was made by Marta Gil, bookseller at El Gat Pelut in Barcelona, ​​specializing in children's and young adult literature.