The International Board on Books for Young People has announced the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award shortlist.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international distinction given to authors and illustrators of children’s books. Given every other year by IBBY, the Hans Christian Andersen Awards recognize lifelong achievement and are given to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children’s literature.

AUTHORS

• Marina Colasanti from Brazil
• Heinz Janisch from Austria
• Lee Geum-yi from the Republic of Korea
• Bart Moeyaert from Belgium
• Timo Parvela from Finland
• Edward van de Vendel from the Netherlands

ILLUSTRATORS

Cai Gao from China
Iwona Chmielewska from Poland
Nelson Cruz from Brazil
Elena Odriozola from Spain
Sydney Smith from Canada
Paloma Valdivia from Chile

The award is presented in alternate years by the International Board on Books for Young People to “a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature.”

Jury President Liz Page leads the 10-member jury which included Evelyn Arizpe (Mexico/UK), Brenda Dales (USA), Sabine Fuchs (Austria), Diana Laura Kovach (Argentina), Shereeh Kreidieh (Lebanon), Bettina Kümmerling-Meibauer (Germany), Jaana Pesonen (Finland), Tan Fengxia (China), Pavle Učakar (Slovenia) and Morgane Vasta (France).  IBBY Executive Director Carolina Ballester is an ex officio Jury member. 

The criteria used to assess the nominations included the aesthetic and literary quality as well as the freshness and innovation of the body of work; the ability to see the child’s point of view and to stretch their curiosity; and the continuing relevance of their works to children and young people. There were 59 candidates from 33 countries on the longlist.

The two winners will be announced at the IBBY Press Conference on Monday, April 8 at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The medals and diplomas will be presented to the winners during the 39th IBBY Congress in Trieste, Italy being held August 30-September 1, 2024.