Girls and boys, this Robinson is all for you

In Italia i strong readers they have a maximum of fourteen years, despite the cliché of those who want them new and very new generations light years away from books, especially physical ones. However, this is not the case. As demonstrated not only by the cold figures, but also by the approval rating of the volumes “forbidden to majors”, to which we have always given ample space on our Robinson, they arouse. Thanks to the attention of big brands towards children’s authors. And to the courage of small and very small publishing houses, ready to bet on the youngest audiences.

Let’s start with the numbers. For example, those presented by the AIE, the Italian Publishers Association, at the latest edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, based on periodic surveys carried out every two years on the market for girls and boys, and relating to the first months of 2023. Here the results: in range 4-14 years il 96% of the sample has read at least one non-scholastic book in the last twelve months, compared to 75% in 2018. A growth, and also an absolute value, much higher than what was recorded, again in 2023, in the age segment going from 15 to 74 years: il 74%. Twenty-two percentage points less than the interest in the written page experienced by mini-format readers.

As for sales, the data (again AIE) released last week at the Fair more free books in Rome, for the first eleven months of 2023, indicate, for the youth segment, a growth of 13.8% on 2019. And a slight decline (minus 0.7) on last year, which however does not take into account the very probable boom in sales of these pre-Christmas weeks.

In summary: children and young people read and fight together with us. In fact, more than us. This is also why, like every year, we dedicated the pre-Christmas issue of Robinsonon newsstands from tomorrow with Republic and for the whole week, right at them.

Let’s start with the cover shoot. Centered on the most classic of the classics forbidden to adults, on the absolute champion of youth imagination, on an icon of magic in a literal and figurative sense: Harry Potter, naturally, a now eternal editorial (as well as cinematographic) phenomenon. The novels of the signed saga J.K. Rowling, published in Italy by Salani in different more or less colorful and enriched editions, are present in the rankings of best-selling books in our country 52 weeks a year. That is, without interruption. Just think that the first chapter of the series alone, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, has sold an average of 160 thousand copies every twelve months, since time immemorial: a record. To celebrate this continuous ability to conquer children and teenagers, we went to look around the physical place where so much of the boy wizard’s imagination takes shape: the London studio of MinaLimaa couple formed by artists Miraphora Mina ed Eduardo Lima. Authors of all the graphic ideas of the films (from the Malandrino Map to the Daily Prophet, just to give an example) and of the papercut, illustrated and interactive editions of the books. Our correspondent from the British capital, Antonello Guerrera, was welcomed by the two creatives, who showed him their working method live and revealed everything and more about the behind the scenes of the great saga: the result is the interview that found in our supplement, enriched with splendid images by MinaLima.

But it’s not enough. Because very young readers, as well as adults involved as promoters or donors in their readings, will find much more in this special Christmas issue. An unpublished story in Italy, exclusively for us, by Katherine Rundell, great, pyrotechnic author for children and teenagers; a double page of games and pastimes with a Christmas background signed by a global star made in Italy, Geronimo Stilton; a gallery of author reviews of the most interesting gift volumes of the season. Some are dedicated to new editions of classics: Bambiillustrated by Fabian Negrin, is told for us by Viola Ardone, while Sarah Savioli takes us into the world of Alice in Wonderlandnow in bookstores with a new translation, and Piero Melati in that of favorite in Kipling, an absolute delight to be rediscovered at any age. And then many insights into the works of contemporary authors, and on every possible topic: from art to the planets, from Christmas to the importance of words, from the beauty arriving from the East to a truly special football match.

Our double page dedicated to completes the package TikTok, written by Sara Scarafia, in which we asked some bookmakers to tell us, firsthand, the book that changed their lives as children. Instilling in them that love for reading that has accompanied them and will accompany them throughout their entire existence. As the Aie data give hope, also in the future.