Stuttgart Children's and Young Adult Book Week

The Region's Largest Children's Literature Festival

The Stuttgart Children's and Young Adult Book Week is the largest festival for children's and young adult literature in Baden-Württemberg and one of the most important events of its kind in Germany. From July 11 to 22, 2026, the Stuttgart City Library am Mailänder Platz — the striking cubic building in Stuttgart's Europaviertel — will transform into a vibrant meeting place for children, authors, illustrators, and publishers.

4,000 Books from 80 Publishers

At the heart of the festival is the large book exhibition: around 4,000 children's and young adult books and children's media from approximately 80 publishers will be presented — from board book series for toddlers to young adult novels for teenagers. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to enter. Educators, librarians, and parents regularly use the festival as a research source for new book acquisitions.

Readings for Kindergartens and Schools

In the mornings, the program is specifically aimed at kindergarten groups and school classes — readings with authors, illustrator workshops, and encounters with publishing representatives. Registration is via [email protected]. Each reading is scheduled for approximately 60 minutes. The selection of authors includes well-known German children's book authors as well as international guests.

Family Program on Weekends

In the afternoons and on weekends, the festival opens up to families: family concerts, children's theater performances, picture book cinema screenings, craft afternoons, hands-on workshops, and themed days. The program ranges from classic read-aloud sessions to modern interactive formats — augmented reality books, radio play production with children, or digital storytelling.

Organizers and History

The organizers are the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels — Landesverband Baden-Württemberg and the Stuttgart City Library. The festival has been running for decades and has become a pilgrimage site for children's and young adult literature. Publishers from Austria, Switzerland, and individual international guests are also regularly represented. Admission to all events is free.