Hans Christian Andersen winners
On April 13, the opening day of the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Hans Christian Andersen Awards were announced and went to Michael Rosen and Cai Gao. The winners were reported by Publishers Weekly as part of the fair’s official programming. (publishersweekly.com)
Michael Rosen of the United Kingdom and Cai Gao of China won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards on April 13 in Bologna, Italy. (ibby.org) The awards were announced on the opening day of the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair at an International Board on Books for Young People press conference. The prize goes to one writer and one illustrator every other year. (publishersweekly.com) The International Board on Books for Young People describes the Hans Christian Andersen Award as the highest international recognition for creators of children’s books. The writing award has been given since 1956, and the illustration award since 1966. (ibby.org) This year’s field started with 78 candidates from 44 countries, then narrowed to a January shortlist of six writers and six illustrators. Michael Rosen was shortlisted alongside Ahmad Akbarpour, Timothée de Fombelle, María José Ferrada, Lee Geum-yi, and Pam Muñoz Ryan. (ibby.org) The illustrator shortlist included Beatrice Alemagna, Linda Bondestam, Cai Gao, Gundega Muzikante, Walid Taher, and María Wernicke. The winners were chosen by an international jury after what the award organizers called an assessment of each candidate’s lifetime achievement and the continuing relevance of the work. (ibby.org) Rosen won for writing across a career that has made him one of Britain’s best-known children’s authors and performance poets. Publishers Weekly reported that the jury cited his “ability to speak to children in a direct and accessible way,” while also addressing subjects including grief, identity, and everyday family life. (publishersweekly.com) Cai Gao won for illustration, with Chinese state media reporting that he is the first Chinese illustrator to receive the award. Coverage of the jury’s decision said his art was recognized for technical control and a visual language shaped by Chinese artistic traditions. (english.news.cn) The award itself is for a body of work, not a single book. Winners receive a gold medal and a diploma, with the formal presentation scheduled for the biennial International Board on Books for Young People congress. (ibby.org) The Bologna announcement put two long careers at the center of one of children’s publishing’s biggest international gatherings. By the end of the fair’s first day, Rosen and Cai had the field’s top biennial honor. (publishersweekly.com)
