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 The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protevangelium of James (Second Edition) by Michael P. Closs. A poignant and spiritually reflective narrative that draws readers into the sacred and human dimensions of Mary—the mother of Jesus. More than a religious retelling, it is a journey into Mary’s heart: her obedience, her faith, her sorrow, and her hope. The book explores the depth of her relationship with God, her role in the unfolding of divine salvation, and the emotional and spiritual burdens she carried as both mother and servant of the Lord.
The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protevangelium of James (Second Edition) by Michael P. Closs takes a fresh, critical look at the Protevangelium of James, one of the earliest texts detailing the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Closs meticulously analyzes historical manuscripts, including Syriac and Greek sources, to explore how this ancient work influenced early Christian beliefs and shaped traditions about Mary’s life, from her miraculous birth to her role in the story of Jesus.
Michael P. Closs is a retired professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He is also a Catholic deacon who has served in both Canada and Mexico. Closs’s work is thoroughly researched and carefully crafted. He opens with background on the Gospel of Mark, which likely drew primarily from the Protoevangelium, especially in relation to the Messianic Secret.
Beyond textual analysis, this book delves into the broader historical and cultural context in which these writings emerged. Closs examines the role of women in early Christianity, the influence of Jewish traditions on Marian narratives, and how later theologians built upon these foundational stories. He presents a balanced approach, acknowledging both the strengths and the limitations of historical interpretations while inviting readers to consider the Protevangelium as more than just legend—it is a window into the spiritual mindset of the earliest followers of Jesus.
The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protevangelium of James (Second Edition) stands out as a spiritually enriching work that brings a new level of intimacy to one of the most revered figures in Christian faith. It is compelling because it humanizes Mary without diminishing her sanctity—portraying her not only as the mother of the Messiah but as a woman who faced doubt, fear, and pain with extraordinary faith.
Readers will find comfort, strength, and renewed devotion in these pages. The book gently reminds us that holiness does not mean perfection but surrender—that even the purest faith is tested through suffering. For believers, it offers a chance to reflect more deeply on Mary’s example; for seekers, it opens a window into the transformative power of faith and grace.
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