Announcing IBBY Canada’s Nominees for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Every other year, IBBY presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. Often called “the little Nobel,” the Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the Patron of the Andersen Awards. The nominations are made by the National Sections of IBBY, and a distinguished international jury of children’s literature specialists selects the recipients.
The Author’s Award has been given since 1956 and the Illustrator’s Award since 1966. The Award consists of a gold medal and a diploma, which are presented at a celebratory ceremony during the biennial IBBY Congress. A special Andersen Awards issue of IBBY’s journal Bookbird presents all the nominees and documents the selection process.
IBBY Canada is pleased to announce that we have nominated author David A. Robertson and illustrator Josée Bisaillon for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards.
David A. Robertson
Photo Credit: Amber Green
It is with great honour that the Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominating Committee of IBBY Canada submits David A. Robertson for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Author.
Robertson is one of the most celebrated and exciting authors writing for children today, telling stories from an Indigenous perspective about matters of Indigenous identity, language, history, and belonging. His bestselling books for children of all ages—spanning picture books, middle-grade novels, and young adult graphic novels—have made an indelible mark on Canadian children, culture, and literary heritage. His work has been recognized by the highest literary awards in the country, including two Governor General’s Literary Awards (When We Were Alone and On the Trapline) and the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award (On the Trapline), among numerous other award wins and distinctions. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. His books have been translated around the world, including into Cree, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
Not only has Robertson made an impact through his own writing, but he continues to leave a legacy by spearheading a newly created imprint at Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada. This imprint, launched in January 2025, is dedicated to publishing Indigenous authors and illustrators. “As my career has progressed,” Robertson says, “I’ve recognized the importance of creating opportunities for new and emerging Indigenous writers so they can write stories that matter, that heal, that inspire, and that lead us on a good path.”
Josée Bisaillon
Photo credit: Julie Artacho
It is with great honour that the Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominating Committee of IBBY Canada submits Josée Bisaillon for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustrator.
It was during her studies in graphic design that Bisaillon fell in love with illustrating children’s books. Her art has won several awards including the Prix illustration du Salon du livre de Trois-Rivières for Ma tête en l’air (2018) and for Monsieur Tralalère (2015), in addition to being named a finalist three times for the Governor General’s Literary Award. In 2017, she won, with author Jennifer McGrath, the prestigious Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award for the picture book The Snow Knows. Bisaillon’s work stands out both in Canada and abroad.
Since 2006, Bisaillon has illustrated over 35 children’s picture books. She regularly collaborates with several magazines and newspapers in Canada, the United States, and Asia. She also gives conferences and workshops in schools and libraries to share her passion for illustration and literature. In 2018, she published her first picture book as an author-illustrator, Reviens sur terre Esther!
Bisaillon lives on the South Shore of Montreal with her partner, their three children, a hairless cat, and lots of paper-made characters!
Submitted by Lesley Clement, Chair of the Hans Christian Andersen Nominating Committee, with thanks to Katie Scott, Colette Poitras, and Nicholas Aumais.
Announcing IBBY Canada’s Nominees for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Every other year, IBBY presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. Often called “the little Nobel,” the Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the Patron of the Andersen Awards. The nominations are made by the National Sections of IBBY, and a distinguished international jury of children’s literature specialists selects the recipients.
The Author’s Award has been given since 1956 and the Illustrator’s Award since 1966. The Award consists of a gold medal and a diploma, which are presented at a celebratory ceremony during the biennial IBBY Congress. A special Andersen Awards issue of IBBY’s journal Bookbird presents all the nominees and documents the selection process.
IBBY Canada is pleased to announce that we have nominated author David A. Robertson and illustrator Josée Bisaillon for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards.
David A. Robertson
It is with great honour that the Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominating Committee of IBBY Canada submits David A. Robertson for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Author.
Robertson is one of the most celebrated and exciting authors writing for children today, telling stories from an Indigenous perspective about matters of Indigenous identity, language, history, and belonging. His bestselling books for children of all ages—spanning picture books, middle-grade novels, and young adult graphic novels—have made an indelible mark on Canadian children, culture, and literary heritage. His work has been recognized by the highest literary awards in the country, including two Governor General’s Literary Awards (When We Were Alone and On the Trapline) and the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award (On the Trapline), among numerous other award wins and distinctions. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. His books have been translated around the world, including into Cree, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
Not only has Robertson made an impact through his own writing, but he continues to leave a legacy by spearheading a newly created imprint at Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada. This imprint, launched in January 2025, is dedicated to publishing Indigenous authors and illustrators. “As my career has progressed,” Robertson says, “I’ve recognized the importance of creating opportunities for new and emerging Indigenous writers so they can write stories that matter, that heal, that inspire, and that lead us on a good path.”
Josée Bisaillon
It is with great honour that the Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominating Committee of IBBY Canada submits Josée Bisaillon for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustrator.
It was during her studies in graphic design that Bisaillon fell in love with illustrating children’s books. Her art has won several awards including the Prix illustration du Salon du livre de Trois-Rivières for Ma tête en l’air (2018) and for Monsieur Tralalère (2015), in addition to being named a finalist three times for the Governor General’s Literary Award. In 2017, she won, with author Jennifer McGrath, the prestigious Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award for the picture book The Snow Knows. Bisaillon’s work stands out both in Canada and abroad.
Since 2006, Bisaillon has illustrated over 35 children’s picture books. She regularly collaborates with several magazines and newspapers in Canada, the United States, and Asia. She also gives conferences and workshops in schools and libraries to share her passion for illustration and literature. In 2018, she published her first picture book as an author-illustrator, Reviens sur terre Esther!
Bisaillon lives on the South Shore of Montreal with her partner, their three children, a hairless cat, and lots of paper-made characters!
Submitted by Lesley Clement, Chair of the Hans Christian Andersen Nominating Committee, with thanks to Katie Scott, Colette Poitras, and Nicholas Aumais.
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