IBBY unveils its largest Honour List, recognizing 191 children’s books from 59 countries

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) has unveiled its 2026 Honour List, recognizing 191 works in 52 languages from 59 countries, the largest selection in the initiative’s 70-year history.

According to the IBBY Honour List 2026 catalog, this year’s list includes 76 titles in the Authors category, 58 in Illustrators and 57 in Translators.

“The 2026 IBBY Honour List will be introduced, and diplomas presented to the nominees, at the Honour List ceremony scheduled on 8 August as part of the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, Canada. The books will also be featured at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2026 and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in April 2027,” reads the official website.

Among the selected creators are Ukrainian author Dara Kornii, illustrator Oleksandr Shatokhin and translator Bozhena Antoniak.

Kornii was recognized in the Authors category for “Why the Fern Blossoms,” illustrated by Nataliia Shmorhun and published by Ranok. The fantasy novel follows Petrus Lelechenko, a boy living with his mother and aunt on the outskirts of a village who dreams of his father’s return. After meeting a household spirit, he enters a magical world inspired by Ukrainian folklore.

Shatokhin was selected in the Illustrators category for his artwork in “Narwhals Don’t Cry,” written by Oleksandr Podoliak and published by Krokus. The picture book follows a young narwhal learning to overcome the fear of being different while gaining confidence with his mother’s support.

In the Translators category, Antoniak was honored for her Ukrainian translation of Polish author Joanna Jagiełło’s “Birthday,” published in Ukrainian by Urbino. IBBY describes the novel as an exploration of adolescence, friendship and loneliness through the experiences of students who are excluded by their peers and struggle to find acceptance.

Founded in Switzerland in 1953, IBBY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting children’s books and reading. The organization comprises more than 70 national sections and holds official status with UNESCO and UNICEF. IBBY contributed to the development of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1990, advocating for children’s right to education and access to books. Since 1967, it has coordinated the annual celebration of International Children’s Book Day.

The organization also supports research on literature for children and young adults with disabilities, compiles biennial catalogs highlighting notable titles in the field and collaborates with international partners, including the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

RELATED: IBBY is deeply concerned about the current invasion into Ukraine, but also commiserate with their colleagues in Moscow