Michael Rosen wins Hans Christian Andersen Award | books

Michael Rosen, a poet and author known for books such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Chocolate Cake, has won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Writing Prize in recognition of his ongoing contributions to children’s literature.

The former Children’s Laureate is the fourth British woman to win the award, after Eleanor Farjeon, Aidan Chambers and David Almond.

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), which announces the winner every two years, said Rosen’s writing “reflects the rhythms of children’s language and thought, combining playfulness, emotional depth and social awareness.” “Through poetry, novels and non-fiction, his work invites children into literature, encourages empathy and opens a space for discussion about history, family, loss, identity and community.”

IBBY also announced the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Illustration Award. Chinese illustrator Cai Gao, whose works demonstrate “outstanding artistic quality and a unique visual language that expands the possibilities of children’s illustration,” received the award. Previous winners include Quentin Blake, a former Children’s Laureate best known for his children’s book illustrations by Roald Dahl, who received the honor in 2002.

Rosen missed the winners’ announcement, held at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, after being turned away from his flight at the boarding gate due to post-Brexit passport rules. The rules state that passports for UK travelers must be issued no more than 10 years before the date of entry into the EU, and with at least three months remaining on the day of departure from the EU.

Rosen said, in a post on X, Twitter previously: “Ha! I was refused entry on a plane from Stansted to Bologna because the date of issue of my passport is March 2016. The expiry date is August 2026 but the rule is 10 years from the date of issue. Another benefit of Brexit.”

He told The Independent: “There was a happy ending to this story, because I got home and one of the first calls I got was an Italian lady telling me I had won the Hans Christian Andersen Prize.”

Rosen was selected from 78 nominees from 44 different countries and was evaluated on the “distinctive literary and artistic qualities” of his writing and his ability to “see a child’s point of view and expand his curiosity,” among other factors. The awards ceremony will be held in August in Ottawa.