IBBY Announces Candidates for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award

Sophie Blackall, USBBY HCA Nominee

Pam Muñoz Ryan, USBBY HCA Nominee

USBBY is proud to announce its nominations for the 2026 Hans Christian Anderson Award, Sophie Blackall and Pam Muñoz Ryan. These acclaimed authors are among the best in American children's literature.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to creators of children’s books whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children's literature. The nominees are evaluated by a distinguished panel of children's literature experts, including USBBY's nominee to the Jury, Brenda Dales.

The 2026 USBBY Hans Christian Anderson Nominating committee was chaired by Emily Pendergrass, with committee members Danielle Sachdeva, Danilo Baylen, Anne Katz, and Caroline Romans, with thanks to Board Liaison Dora Ho.

78 candidates from 44 countries were nominated for 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards, with 41 nominated in the Writing category and 37 nominated for Illustration. IBBY reports that, "This is in an unprecedented volume of candidates and the highest-ever number of participating countries." 

Read the dossiers that the committee assembled capturing the work of Blackall and Muñoz Ryan for Jury consideration. ​

View all of the candidates to the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award.