Between a striped prince, parental quarrels, and nonsense: 20 must-see books at the Children's Book Fair

There are more than 70 exhibitors at the Children's and Young Adult Book Fair . And hundreds of wonders. So choosing isn't easy.

Here are twenty books that are absolutely worth your time. Each one for its own reasons. However, there's one thing that unites them all: the ability to open windows to other worlds, allowing us to inhabit this one a little more fully.

“ I have two trains, one train/going far away/two trains, one train/between the mountains/two trains, one train/carrying a letter/two trains…”

Two Trains, One Train ( Pípala Publishing) is a marvel in cardboard for the little ones.

Written by Valeria Tentoni and Martín Armada and illustrated by Sabina Schürman (whose style combines tenderness and vitality in a highly original way), it includes a QR code with a link to the text sung by Valeria herself. It sounds sweet and intimate, like a whispered mime .

We know that rhymes and repetition make stories and melodies easier to remember and help develop language, memory, and comprehension . And they build confidence : we know what's coming next, and they motivate us to participate.

What else? Here's a tip: read the book and then listen to the song . If you hear it first, you won't be able to get it out of your head. Price: $16,000.

This is a collector's item. A compilation of the best strips from the first ten books ( it's over 20 and still going) of Mayor y menor , one of Chanti 's greatest creations.

The Best of Mayor y Menor (Sudamericana) brings together in almost 300 pages a selection of comics that began publishing in 2003 in the Sunday magazine Rumbos and later became books.

Here, you'll find sketches, unpublished comics, covers that didn't make the cover (one, until this issue), and a trivia quiz to test your reader's knowledge of Nacho, Tobi, and their family. For ages 7 and up.

Chanti (Mendoza-born Santiago González Riga) said he was inspired by his family and sums up the secret of his work better than anyone: “I make kids thinking like kids.” Price: $44,999.

Pianos have hearts. No one plays them. They're dying of sadness. But Fidel has the gift of listening to them. With his sister, his cat BeeGees, and a friend, he takes on the mission of rescuing those instruments, with music by Elvis and Charlie García , among others. With hip hop, tango, and cumbia.

The songs give title to each chapter (and tracks) and can be listened to through the link provided by a QR code.

There's more in A Piano for Fidel (Fondo de Cultura Económica). This novel by Cecilia Di Genaro —director of the Cultural Center of the Fondo de Cultura Económica Bookstore in Buenos Aires—was born when her son's piano teacher discovered that he, like Fidel, had perfect pitch.

Di Genero says: “I hope reading this book makes you want to read other books and, above all, listen to music. And if you end up playing an instrument, that would be the icing on the cake!”

Flora Buraschi , the illustrator, tells a lot from the cover, in which the cats—pay attention to the BeeGees' role —say a lot with their eyes and make music with their paws . Price: $18,000

Maria Teresa Andruetto , the great writer from Córdoba, the only Argentine to win the Hans Christian Andersen Prize ( "the Nobel" for children's literature ), who has just inaugurated the 33rd edition of the Children's and Young Adult Book Fair , wrote a story inspired by her mother and a man named Juan.

Clara and the Man in the Window ( Limonero Publishing ) tells the story of how the protagonist discovered books and Juan took his fears by storm. "It takes place in the 1950s, in a village without a school or library. A girl befriends a man who lives in seclusion. He lends her books, and she tells him what the outside world is like," the introduction reads.

Why doesn't Juan come out? This picture book , which opposes prejudice and discrimination, speaks of love (used for Comprehensive Sexual Education classes), friendship, respect, and freedom. And how books can bring us closer together.

Martina Trach 's illustrations, both her luminous landscapes and gray silhouettes, offer additional layers of interpretation. Price: $25,500.

Perhaps, thanks to social media, we adults are forgetting the value of boredom. Kids? No matter how much access they have to screens, they're still bound to get bored.

Don't bother me, I'm very bored! (from Granica Publishing, with paper that shows that recycled materials can be beautiful and of excellent quality) "was born from a simple premise: the funniest stories almost always begin with someone very bored."

A good reader summed it up: “Alex is bored. He kicks a pillow, which gives him the idea of building a cave. And that cave leads him to something else, and that something else leads to something else. Will he still be bored?”

Thus, with a chain of events , Santiago Luna Lupo 's text gives this story a rhythm that challenges that of scrolling .

Aldo Tonelli 's seemingly simple illustrations grow in unison, both gentle and powerful, like layers of watercolor. The capital letters in the text indicate that this is ideal for those learning to read. Price: $14,300.

A circle! And then? / A fox! And then? Fish! And then? It's your turn!, says the introduction to And then? , a marvel for babies (from 0 to 3 years old), by the Japanese author Katsumi Komagata , published by Niño Editor .

Simple shapes, pure and openwork colors are key in the work of this Japanese creator, heir to Bruno Munari. and Leo Lionni. Linked to the development of abstract art and design movements, the three's maxim could be summed up with the idea that to simplify is to discover (beauty, meaning, possibilities, etc.).

Katsumi Komagata said it this way: “It’s very important for me to see reality, to face it head on. So when my daughter was born, I observed how she responded to the new world around her. That’s when I started making books for her and for myself. It was my way of communicating before I could even speak.”

His work helps us learn, and adults are pleased to remember that it's possible to make things new. Value: $18,500.

“Do you want to meet Diego Lazo, Carola Delmar, Bruno Ticias, Indira Cunda?” proposes the presentation of Así se llama (That's What They're Called) (Fondo de Cultura Económica), with verses by Melina Pogorelsky and illustrations by Vanessa Zorn .

“Following the rules of limericks —those poems of wacky humor—readers will explore the alphabet and discover the infinite possibilities of playing with language,” he adds.

With this book, vocabulary is introduced with wit and fun.

It is impossible not to remember the Crazy Zoo of María Elena Walsh , who—by the way—explained: “Children and ordinary people—northern folksong writers, for example—have a lot of fun with these toys made of words, so I thought I'd try writing some limericks in Spanish—they're a British tradition. Lies: I couldn't think of anything. Limericks suddenly appear, like a bug on the tip of a pencil, and start running all over the paper on their own.” Price: $19,000.

Dad and Mom are fighting. Beltrán and Lucía are listening. Tato, their dog, is listening too. Is it better not to talk about certain things?

This work, written by the beloved Canela , argues the opposite. The subtitle reads: "A story about what's hard to say." The rest is poetry.

The presentation of The Battle of the Voices (The Paper Witch) adds: “Why is this story valuable? Because it doesn’t simplify pain, but names it . Because it doesn’t judge, but invites us to repair . Because it doesn’t make children silent witnesses, but creators of possibilities . Because it turns words into play, into objects, into bridges.”

Virginia Lingiardi 's illustrations are powerfully tender. Price: $12,500

Manuelita, The Dachshund Show, Osias' March and Jacinta the Monkey , recommended for babies from 0 to 3 years old, published as small cardboard treasures gathered in a single, beautiful case .

“Books to read and recite; to sing and play; to observe closely and engage all your senses,” says the presentation of My First Book by María Elena Walsh (Alfaguara).

What can we say about María Elena Walsh that we don't already know by heart? The words, the sounds, the stories, the laughter and smiles...

“She didn't write to teach rules, she didn't have a moral agenda, and she doesn't underestimate childhood. Rather, she challenges and forces readers to decode humor, absurdity, and parody,” María Amelia Macedo , Literary Director of Children's and Young Adult Books at Penguin Random House, which recently re-released the great master's complete works, told Clarín. Price: $69,999.

“Amanda is visiting the distant planet Jurano. On one of her walks, she discovers that some small and extraordinary purple beings called Furry Fear Eaters live there. These friendly creatures feed on fears of all sizes, colors, and shapes. But what happens when a Furry Fear Eater, who is supposed to be brave, feels fear? ”

A furry in training (Sigmar), has texts by Verónica Manolio and Gabriela Mendonça , illustrations by Andrés Alejandro Gallelli , narration to listen to and an activity guide.

It's part of Pepe Julepe and invites children, ages 5 and up, to embark on an adventure to discover and understand feelings and sensations. Price: $16,900.

The cover speaks first: hardcover, with gilt details, inhabited by illustrations by Julia Sardá (Barcelona) that combine Gothic echoes of Alice in Wonderland illustrated by John Tenniel in the mid-nineteenth century and the reinterpretation of the world by the Symbolists ( Gustave Klimt ), among other legacies. Mushrooms, fruits, and vines appear out of all proportion, like the imagination to which this type of story opens its doors.

Leina and the Lord of the Forest (Pípala Publishing) is a contemporary fairy tale . The introduction says: “Leina owns the only boat in town, and she uses it to transport people to the forest, where they cut down trees and hunt animals… One night, Leina’s friend Oren doesn’t return from the forest. She goes in search of him and meets the mysterious Lord of the Forest, who invites her to his strange underground palace.”

The authors are Myriam Dahman (born in Morocco, resident in Paris) and Nicolas Digard (Parisian). They had previously created The Secret of the Wolf with Sardá, where the magic of folk fantasy tales is renewed, like a true classic. Price: $27,000

This is a very original version of Little Red Riding Hood . Don't worry, we won't spoil it for you.

“In a small forest clearing, a charming teacher tells her students the story in an original and unique way, making them enjoy the suspense and feel part of the story,” says Del Naranjo Publishing.

“The surprising final twist, with an appropriate moral and lots of laughs, celebrates the power of stories and playful learning,” they add.

Colorín colorado is a work by Mario Mendez (award-winning author and teacher) with illustrations (sometimes so sweet, other times so wild!) by RoMa. Price: $18,000

This book for little ones was selected among 600 titles as the Best Children's Book of the Year by a committee from The Bank Street College of Education in New York. Another major award for the award-winning Leo Timmers , translated into more than 25 languages.

From the publisher unaLuna, they explain: “It turns out that Bear has lost his glasses. He must have left them at his friend Giraffe's house, so he decides to go look for them. Along the way, Bear encounters some animals he's never seen before, and thus begins a joyful adventure full of crazy confusion.”

Belgian author Timmers' drawings appear simple but are full of subtleties. They're perfect for surprising readers every time they open it again (and we know they'll come back often) . Value: $24,000.

“Everyone wants to play hide-and-seek, it's so fun! The mouse starts counting. The bee hides in a matchbox. The cat hides inside the piano. The elephant looks for somewhere to hide... a wardrobe! No, he won't go in a wardrobe. In the refrigerator...? Under the table?”

Why elephants prefer to play tag (Del Naranjo publishing house), written by Silvina Rocha (a native of Tucumán and Buenos Aires by adoption, also a composer and singer, award-winning here and abroad) and illustrated by the great Mey – a contributor to this newspaper and art teacher – brings smiles from the cover and offers no shortage of laughter.

Mey herself once explained that “ the elephant's spatial tragedy is quite delirious in the drawings… The joke is almost entirely in the faces of the drawn characters.” Value: $21,000.

“On a bright summer day, Renato and his siblings leave the cave for the first time. What a wonderful world it is for such a curious little fox! Sniffing and looking, he wanders off distractedly and suddenly realizes he's lost. On the way home, he encounters many dangers and also some unexpected friends.”

Portrait of a Fox Cub is the latest addition to the My First Novel collection (designed for readers ages 6 to 9), by Ralenti Libros.

Written by poet, singer-songwriter, and editor Roberta Iannamico and illustrated by Pablo I. Elías , who has already said that he enjoys creating animals, anthropomorphic beings, mythology, music, and magic, Portrait of a Fox Cub is a wonderful and useful (clear, engaging, and fun) gateway to getting started reading novels. Price: $15,000.

This is a rhyming story by Valeria Dávila , a teacher and journalist, with illustrations by Caru Grossi , who knows how to express what's difficult to put into words. In fact, she said that drawing helped her embrace Caru as a child when she was able to talk about the abuse she suffered.

Prince Charming Wants to Be Striped goes in a different direction, but you also have to know how to tell it. It invites us to imagine princes beyond stereotypes . That's why it's a companion collection to The Moorish Princess Doesn't Wear Pink.

Sigmar, the publisher, presents it this way: "Who said princes have to be ruthless warriors and wear boring, uncomfortable suits? Meet Prince Charming, who wants to be striped, who's tired of stories where princes have to try on shoes, rescue maidens in distress, and face the dragon."

Recommended for ages 6 and up. Price: $17,900.

“Ema is 8 years old and collects extraordinary objects she finds along the way. She keeps them in her own museum. In her country, which could be any country, the situation is getting worse. Ema and her parents have to escape, leaving behind part of their family, their home, and their museum. Their new place is strange and uncomfortable. She doesn't like the food and doesn't understand the language. However, with the help of her new friends, Ema will discover that small and extraordinary things are everywhere.”

Small and Extraordinary Things (Limonero Publishing), the first book by Micaela Gramajo and Daniela Arroio Sandoval , which was born from a play that toured stages in several countries.

Rather, the book arose from the experience of the authors, who have families in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, where they grew up, and who write, direct and act in their company Proyecto Perla , for children and young people.

Nono Pautasso 's illustrations, with a touch of the ease of fanzines and the poetry that can be felt in his ceramics, underline meanings, including humor. Price: $25,500.

This book of stories is about the adventures of Pedro, a city boy who moves to the countryside. He struggled to make friends in the city, and he struggled to make friends in the countryside, too. Until he met Matilda, a cow, a different kind of friend .

My Cow Matilda (The Little Paper Witch), by Claudia Cánevas, tells the story of the discovery of a different way of life. It's a fun eulogy to differences that shows us how important it is to dare to change.

The illustrations by O'Kif , a Rosario native who won an award in Shakespeare's hometown, speak to the same thing in a different way, so there may be more to come. Gestures are magnets. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Price: $10,800.

“Chemistry has never been more dangerous than in this case: Wally has lost his soul, and every child on Earth could suffer the same fate.”

Alquimanía (unaLuna publishing house), by Enrique Torres (author of 23 soap operas, including Cebollitas and Muñeca Brava ) and Miguel Ángel Vega (also a screenwriter and playwright), with illustrations by Rodrigo Folgueira (a painting and sculpture professor who has said that as a teenager he admired Alberto Breccia , Egon Schiele , and Marc Chagall ), is engaging. And it doesn't let up.

“The threat comes from a planet called Mercon, whose leader, Rack, created an army of shadows to ravage the world. Five children were chosen to stop him (….) The key to saving the world lies in the periodic table. It's your greatest weapon. With 118 elements and infinite combinations, anything is possible.” Price: $29,000.

“I look at how I came out in the photo and I see that it's not bad at all. I mean, Aisha isn't bad at all. As always, she looks like a doll, but it's fake.”

Don't Give Me Away (VRYA) is a young adult novel (recommended for ages 12 and up), about the search for identity, written by Naiara Philpotts for a generation marked by the reign of social media.

Philpotts (Buenos Aires, 1995) is a certified author on the Wattpad platform ( a publishing phenomenon starring the generation that doesn't read ) and Don't Give Me Away had almost a million reads . In 2023, she published her first novel, Don't Follow the Music (PRH Montena), with Wattpad Studios, which won two Wattys awards (from the platform). Value: $33,000.

The 33rd edition of the Children's and Young Adult Book Fair takes place on the ground floor of the Palacio Libertad (Sarmiento 151, Buenos Aires City), every day until August 3, free of charge.