“Reading the World: Food Culture ．Future Living.”
— Hong Kong Book Fair 2025
ARPress has been actively participating in some of the world’s most prominent international book fairs, from the Bologna Book Fair and the London Book Fair to events in Miami, Beijing, and Sharjah. We’re excited to share that our journey doesn’t stop there. Our latest step forward: participation in the 35th Hong Kong Book Fair 2025. This expansion brings even more opportunities to connect with readers, authors, and publishers on a truly global scale, and we’re just getting started.
The 2025 Hong Kong Book Fair took place from July 16–22 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s theme, “Food Culture · Future Living,” served up a rich menu of tastily themed programming. Culinary literature from around the world was showcased, offering insights into food’s role in traditions, health habits, and even the future of dining through tech innovations. The World of Art & Culture zone elevated the experience, blending interactive art, dynamic videos, music, and literary commentary. Eight artists and several embassy installations illustrated how a dining table can be a cultural microcosm.
One highlight was the collaboration with Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, which brought a “Macao Craft Market” to the fair. Around 40 creative brands presented handmade crafts, fashion, and lifestyle pieces that reflect Macao’s unique local identity. Mainland China also had a strong showing, with over 40 publishers and nearly 20,000 titles, including a spotlight on Sichuan’s cultural offerings.
Beyond browsing shelves, visitors immersed themselves in interactive experiences: AR photo booths, needlework demonstrations (such as Sichuan embroidery), panda-themed installations, and a civic education exhibition featuring Cantonese opera, ballet, game booths, and photo corners aimed at promoting awareness.
Book signings and author talks drew enthusiastic crowds. Fans queued to meet popular voices such as Ghost Writer (孤泣) and more. Seminars covered a wide range of topics, featuring international voices like Rie Qudan, Lindsay Varty, and Osamu Okamura, alongside local and regional authors. The fair hosted eight themed lecture series, including future living, local history, youth reading, and mindfulness.
To commemorate its 35th edition, the fair introduced several clever ticketing promotions: free admission for visitors born in 1990, special packages allowing five people to enter for the price of three, and limited-edition tote bags and gifts for shoppers who spent over HK$500. The fair didn’t just showcase booksit offered an immersive cultural feast, blending reading, dining, art, craft, tech, and performance. It was a testament to how a book fair can go beyond the printed page, feeding the mind, the heart, and yes, even future appetites.
The story All About Me! by Dr. Tequila E. Howard is a vibrant and uplifting celebration of childhood identity, self-expression, and confidence. It features a joyful series of affirmations from various children, each proudly declaring something special about themselves, from being “short and adorable” to “a great leader” or “a good listener.” What makes the book even more unique is that each declaration is “mentored and revised” by another child, giving it a collaborative, peer-empowered feel that enhances its authenticity and warmth. The affirmations are simple yet powerful, encouraging young readers to embrace who they are and see value in their individuality.
Dr. Tequila E. Howard, the author, has spent over two decades in early childhood education and her passion for nurturing children’s voices and literacy is clearly woven into the pages of this book. Her background in Montessori approach and her deep appreciation for children’s energy and potential shine through. Not only is she an educator and author, but also a motivational speaker and consultant who believes in helping children express themselves confidently and joyfully. All About Me! is more than just a children’s book, it’s a reflection of Dr. Howard’s lifelong mission to uplift and empower young minds through positive language, inclusion, and love.
The story All About Me! offers a meaningful lesson about the importance of self-worth, individuality, and positive self-expression, values that are essential in real life, especially in today’s world where children are often faced with pressure to conform or compare themselves to others. Through the playful yet powerful affirmations from each child in the book, readers are reminded that everyone has unique qualities that deserve to be celebrated. This lesson is particularly relevant in real-life situations such as school environments, friendships, and family settings, where children (and even adults) benefit from understanding and appreciating their own strengths as well as those of others. The story encourages confidence, kindness, and acceptance, laying a foundation for empathy and strong social-emotional development, skills that are crucial throughout life.
All About Me! by Tequila E. Howard Ed. D. is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: