Messy Press wins at Bologna
This highly coveted international prize recognises children’s publishers who have most distinguished themselves for their professional and intellectual skill across each region.
This year, the Oceania shortlist included children’s publishers mainly from Australia, with Messy Press representing New Zealand.
Messy Press was launched at the end of 2024 by husband-and-wife team, Adam Thompson and Erica Harrison. Their fun and vibrant illustrated non-fiction, gift, and activity books are carefully designed to inspire and entertain young creative minds around the world.
The Messy Press co-founders say: “We were delighted even to be shortlisted amongst so many amazing publishers that we admire, so winning the top prize as a relative newcomer from New Zealand is absolutely mind-blowing.”
Through the Publishers Association of New Zealand, they are mentored by celebrated New Zealand publisher and founder of Gecko Press, Julia Marshall, who says: “Messy Press has built a cohesive and exciting list of books for younger children in an incredibly short time. Their books have the rare combination of being fun, original, well-designed, well-made and commercial.”
Katherine Shanks, Acting Association Director of PANZ - Te Rau o Tākupu adds: “The international response to Messy Press has been strong, with rights already sold to France, Italy and Greece – they are an exciting addition to New Zealand publishing, both locally and internationally.”
The colourful and charming list of Messy Press books is distributed by Walker Books in Australia and New Zealand and will be available from July 2026.
