Chinese artist Cai Gao won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Italy on the 13th. This is the first time a Chinese artist has received this honor. At the annual press conference of the International Children's Literature Alliance held on the 13th, Xie Lin Kredi, the chairman of the 2026 International Hans Christian Andersen Award jury, introduced the six writers and six illustrators nominated for the award in 2026, and finally announced that Cai Gao had won the Illustrator Award. Kredi told Xinhua News Agency reporters that Cai Gao's works demonstrate excellent quality, artistry, and infectiousness. Her way of viewing the world is very beautiful, and her works will encourage more children around the world to learn about China, "she said. She believes that the quality of Chinese children's books has always been recognized by international readers. They have a unique style, excellent quality, and unique charm, telling the beautiful virtues and excellent cultural traditions of the Chinese people. Cai Gao was born in Changsha, Hunan in 1946 and is a member of the China Artists Association. Engaged in work such as editing children's books and creating picture books year-round. The work won the "Golden Apple Award" at the 14th Bratislava International Children's Book Fair and was nominated for the Illustration Award at the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen International Prize. The International Hans Christian Andersen Prize was established by the International Children's Literature Alliance in 1956. It is divided into a writer's award and an illustrator's award, and is selected every two years. It is known as the "Nobel Prize in Children's Literature" and aims to reward outstanding children's literature writers and illustrators worldwide. Chinese children's literature writer Cao Wenxuan won the 2016 International Hans Christian Andersen Prize for Literature. (New Society)