Hans Christian Andersen Award 2026 winners announced

Children’s writer Michael Rosen, from the UK, and illustrator Cai Gao, from China, have been named the winners of the 2026 IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Hans Christian Andersen author and illustrator award respectively.

Rosen’s body of work spans poetry, novels and nonfiction and shows children’s literature can be “playful and profound at the same time”, said IBBY in a statement. IBBY said Gao’s contributions to children’s books demonstrate “a unique visual language”, with illustrations that “combine technical mastery with creativity, sensitivity and innovation”.

The winners were chosen from 78 candidates from 44 countries, submitted by IBBY national sections. Emily Rodda and Bruce Whatley were nominated by IBBY Australia as the 2026 Australian candidates.

The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are presented biennially to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. The 2026 shortlist was announced in January.

The 2024 winners of the Hans Christian Andersen Award were Austrian writer Heinz Janisch and Canadian illustrator Sydney Smith.

For more information about the winners and shortlist see the IBBY website.

Category: International awards International news