New laureates of the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) has named British writer Michael Rosen and Chinese illustrator Cai Gao as the winners of the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards, the highest international honor in children’s literature.

Cai Gao, recognized in the Illustration category, has built a remarkable career shaped by early exposure to oral storytelling and folk traditions. Her debut picturebook, “The Beautiful Garden” (1980), brought immediate acclaim and marked the beginning of a prolific output of more than 40 titles. Her work blends Western artistic techniques with the vitality of Chinese folk art and the refinement of classical painting. Books such as “Baoer” and “The Land of the Peach Blossom” demonstrate her ability to combine visual innovation with emotional depth, while recent titles like “How I Came to Be Me” and “What Would It Be Like Without…” explore curiosity and perception.

Michael Rosen, honored in the Writing category, is celebrated for a body of work that spans more than 200 books for children and adults. After studying at the University of Oxford, he worked as a teacher before publishing his first poetry collection, “Mind Your Own Business” (1974). Rosen has frequently collaborated with illustrators including Quentin Blake, Tony Ross, and Helen Oxenbury. Serving as the UK’s Children’s Laureate from 2007 to 2009, he became a leading advocate for poetry in education. His work ranges from playful, performative verse to deeply personal titles such as “Michael Rosen’s Sad Book” (2004), written after the death of his son, and “Sticky McStick” (2021), reflecting his recovery from serious illness. More recent works, including “The Missing” (2020) and “On the Move” (2024), address themes of history, migration, and identity.

A total of 78 candidates from 44 countries were nominated by IBBY’s national sections. Finalists in the writing category included authors from Iran, France, Chile, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, while the illustration shortlist featured artists from Italy, Finland, Latvia, Egypt, and Argentina. Candidates were assessed for literary and artistic merit, innovation, authenticity, and their ability to engage children with complexity and imagination.

The 2026 jury, chaired by Shereeh Kreidieh, brings together experts from across the globe, with Carolina Ballester serving ex officio. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Ottawa in August 2026.

Established in 1956, the Hans Christian Andersen Award is presented biennially by IBBY to honor lasting contributions to children’s literature. Winners receive a gold medal bearing the profile of a storyteller, widely regarded as one of the field’s most prestigious distinctions. Alongside the main awards, IBBY also issues Honorary Certificates and publishes an annual Honor List recognizing outstanding children’s and young adult books from its member countries.

RELATED: Winners of the Andersen Prize 2022

Main image: Chytomo collage