Established in 1953 by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the Hans Christian Andersen Award is presented every two years. It honours living authors and illustrators whose body of work has made outstanding, lasting, and groundbreaking contributions to books for young readers. The distinction is often regarded as the Nobel Prize of children's literature.
This year, illustrator Ta Huy Long and author Quynh Huong, both associated with Kim Dong Publishing House, have been nominated in the Illustration and Writing categories, respectively. For the first time in the award's 70-year history, Viet Nam has two nominees representing both categories. The dual nomination marks an important milestone in efforts to bring Vietnamese children's literature to international audiences.
Ta Huy Long is a Vietnamese illustrator with a long and dedicated career, particularly distinguished by his contributions to children's books. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive visual language, combining extensive research into cultural materials with a highly expressive artistic approach. His work has helped broaden the ways in which Vietnamese literary, historical, and cultural heritage is presented to young readers.
His creative journey also demonstrates the potential of Vietnamese illustration to craft visual styles that are deeply rooted in national identity while resonating with readers across generations and cultures.
Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong is an author, researcher, and reading advocate who has made significant contributions to the development of contemporary Vietnamese children's literature and picture books. Her writing frequently explores themes such as climate change, human migration, and the relationship between people and nature.
Alongside her writing, Quynh Huong is actively involved in research, nurturing emerging authors and illustrators, promoting reading culture, and developing platforms that connect different participants in Viet Nam's picture book ecosystem. Her career reflects a close integration of artistic creativity, research, and initiatives to advance the sector, helping create greater opportunities for Vietnamese picture books to be written, published, studied, and appreciated within a broader cultural landscape.
