Embracing the Future.
In 2025, ARPress reached a new milestone by joining the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF), one of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading events dedicated to children’s and young adult content. Held from 14 to 16 November at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, the fair reinforced our mission to champion diverse voices and cross-cultural storytelling. With a history of participating in major global book fairs, ARPress welcomed the opportunity to engage with CCBF’s vibrant international community.
Approved by the Shanghai Press & Publication Administration and organized by major Chinese publishing groups, with Ronbo BolognaFiere Shanghai Ltd. as co-organizer, CCBF has been a cornerstone of global children’s publishing since 2013. Its partnership with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair reflects China’s “going global and bringing in” strategy, promoting international exchange and introducing outstanding global titles to Chinese readers. The 2025 edition hosted around 500 exhibitors from more than 35 countries across its 25,000-square-meter venue, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and showcasing thousands of new titles, artworks, and multimedia projects.
The fair featured two main zones: a Copyright Zone focused on rights trading and a Hybrid Zone blending publishing, marketing, and retail. ARPress was honored to exhibit in the Copyright Zone at Booth 2A17, presenting curated fiction, nonfiction, and poetry collections. CCBF’s renowned programming continued in 2025, with the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition receiving over 15,000 submissions, the Illustrators Survival Corner offering masterclasses and portfolio reviews, the Children Plus – COMICS exhibition highlighting nearly 200 international comic titles, and the expanded Cross-Media Lounge spotlighting innovative global projects.
Across forums and seminars, international experts explored topics such as AI in education, inclusive storytelling, and global reading promotion, further strengthening CCBF’s role as a hub for cultural exchange. For ARPress, participating in this event deepened our connections across the Asia-Pacific region, enabled meaningful engagement with authors and illustrators worldwide, and affirmed our commitment to stories that transcend borders. As we welcomed partners and book lovers to our booth, we left inspired to continue nurturing global collaboration and advancing imaginative, empathetic, and diverse storytelling for young readers.
A few books were only featured in this globally reached book fair. One of the masterpieces featured is A Roof Over Our Heads and A Food on the Table by Ted J. Brooks. The novel follows Pat Kavanaugh from his final year of high school into the uncertain landscape of early adulthood. Accepted into Nutmeg State University, Pat dreams of becoming a writer, but his father urges him to choose a more practical field like accounting — a career he believes will guarantee stability.
Caught between pursuing his passion and honoring his family’s hopes, Pat becomes torn by the question that drives the emotional core of the novel: What does it truly mean to succeed? His father’s stern reminder that “a roof over your head and food on the table” should come first becomes a recurring tension that shapes Pat’s choices and growth.
As Pat earns his degree and steps into the workforce, he quickly realizes that adulthood comes with obstacles no textbook prepared him for. Low-paying jobs, inflexible managers, and limited opportunities force him to confront the harsh realities of the working world. In search of something better, he experiments with side ventures, builds connections, and explores new avenues to grow — all while trying to establish his own life, relationships, and identity.
Throughout this journey, Pat battles self-doubt, pressure, and fear of failure. Yet he gradually discovers inner strength: resilience, adaptability, and the courage to chart his own course. By the end, the novel delivers a powerful truth — that success is not defined solely by income or job titles, but by perseverance, authenticity, and finding purpose in life’s daily challenges.
Pat’s experiences reflect the struggles of countless young adults stepping into a demanding job market, parents worried about their children’s future, and individuals who have faced rejection or setbacks while chasing their dreams. Brooks writes with empathy and clarity, giving readers permission to see their own journeys mirrored in Pat’s story. More than a coming-of-age tale, the novel is an exploration of hope, endurance, and the human spirit.
Ultimately, the novel inspires readers to reflect on their own paths — to honor their roots, recognize their strengths, and pursue a life that balances responsibility with passion. It is a story that encourages hope, teaches resilience, and redefines what it means to truly succeed.
Visit the ARPress official social media accounts for more updates.
- https://authorreputationpress.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReputationPressLLC
- https://www.instagram.com/authorreputationpress/
- https://www.pinterest.com/arpressllcseo/
- https://x.com/ARPressLLC
- https://www.tiktok.com/@arpressllc
- https://www.youtube.com/@AUTHORREPUTATIONPRESSLLC
