Children's literature (writing and illustration)

Hans Christian Andersen Award: winners and how it is awarded

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is given every other year by the International Board on Books for Young People to one author and one illustrator. The author award has been presented since 1956 and the illustrator award since 1966.^4,5

Winners

1. 2026Michael Rosen (United Kingdom)^3,1Writing award
2. 2026Cai Gao (China)^3,1Illustration award
3. 2024Heinz Janisch (Austria)^4,2Writing award
4. 2024Sydney Smith (Canada)^4,2Illustration award
5. 2022Marie-Aude Murail (France)⁵Writing award
6. 2022Suzy Lee (South Korea)⁵Illustration award
7. 2020Jacqueline Woodson (United States)⁵Writing award
8. 2020Albertine (Switzerland)⁵Illustration award
9. 2018Eiko Kadono (Japan)⁵Writing award
10. 2018Igor Oleynikov (Russia)⁵Illustration award
11. 2016Cao Wenxuan (China)⁵Writing award
12. 2016Rotraut Susanne Berner (Germany)⁵Illustration award

Sources

1. Books+Publishing, Hans Christian Andersen Award 2026 winners announced (15 April 2026)
2. IBBY UK, Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026 (28 October 2026)
3. International Board on Books for Young People, Latest news, 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award winners (13 April 2026)
4. International Board on Books for Young People, Hans Christian Andersen Awards archive (28 October 2026)
5. IBBY UK, Hans Christian Andersen Awards (28 October 2026)