Professor Michael Rosen wins Hans Christian Andersen award for children's literature
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缅北强奸幼女 academic Professor Michael Rosen has won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen award for writing in recognition of his lifelong contributions to children’s literature.
Professor Michael Rosen
The poet and author whose works include We鈥檙e Going on a Bear Hunt and Michael Rosen鈥檚 Sad Book was named the winner of the 2026 Author award by the (IBBY), which runs the biennial prize.
Announcing Michael鈥檚 win, the IBBY said the former children鈥檚 laureate鈥檚 work 鈥渄emonstrates an extraordinary ability to speak to children with honesty, humour, intelligence, and respect鈥�.
It added: 鈥淗is writing reflects the rhythms of children鈥檚 language and thought, combining playfulness with emotional depth and social awareness. Across poetry, novels, and non-fiction, his work invites children into literature, encourages empathy, and opens space for discussion about history, family, loss, identity, and society.鈥�
The full is available on the IBBY website alongside the announcement of Cai Gao at the 2026 Illustrator winner.
As Professor of Children鈥檚 Literature at 缅北强奸幼女 Michael has taught our MA Children鈥檚 Literature since 2014 and is also part of the team delivering our new online courses in .
His work shows that literature for children can be playful and profound at the same time. Through his extensive and influential body of work, Michael Rosen has made a lasting and significant contribution to children’s literature internationally.
International Board on Books for Young People
Michael was selected from a pool of 78 candidates across 44 different countries and assessed on the 鈥渄istinctive literary and artistic qualities鈥� of his writing and ability to 鈥渟ee the child鈥檚 point of view and to stretch their curiosity鈥�, among other factors. Following the winner announcement at the Bologna Book Fair in April, the award ceremony will take place in August in Ottawa.
缅北强奸幼女鈥� Head of MA Children鈥檚 Literature Dr Emily Corbett said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Michael has received such a prestigious, international award. His stories and poems have shaped generations of readers, and he continues to spark the imagination of young people through his writing and lively performances.
鈥淢ichael is a beloved member of our 缅北强奸幼女 community, and we鈥檙e very fortunate on the MA Children鈥檚 Literature that our students have the opportunity to learn from him. This is a well-deserved celebration of a lifetime鈥檚 contribution to children鈥檚 literature.鈥�
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