Michael Rosen, the poet and author known for books such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Chocolate Cake, has won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen award for writing in recognition of his lifelong contributions to children’s literature.

The former children’s laureate is the fourth Briton to win the award, following Eleanor Farjeon, Aidan Chambers and David Almond.

Rosen’s writing “reflects the rhythms of children’s language and thought, combining playfulness with emotional depth and social awareness”, said the the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), who announce a winner every other year. “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.”

IBBY also announced the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen award for illustration. Chinese illustrator Cai Gao, whose work “demonstrates outstanding artistic quality and a unique visual language that expands the possibilities of illustration for children”, took the prize. Previous winners include Quentin Blake, the former children’s laureate best known for illustrating Roald Dahl’s children’s books, who received the honour in 2002.

Rosen missed the announcement of the winners, which took place at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, after being turned away from his flight at the boarding gate because of post-Brexit passport rules. The rules state that UK travellers’ passports must have been issued no more than 10 years before the date of entry to the EU and have at least three months remaining on the day of departure from the EU.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Rosen said: “Ha! I’ve just been refused entry on to a plane from Stansted to Bologna because my passport issue date is March 2016. The expiry date is August 2026 but the rule is 10 years from issue date. Another Brexit benefit.”

There was “a happy ending to this story, because I came home and one of the first calls that came in was an Italian lady telling me that I had won the Hans Christian Andersen award,” he told the Independent.

Rosen was selected from a pool of 78 candidates across 44 different countries and assessed on the “distinctive literary and artistic qualities” of his writing and ability to “see the child’s point of view and to stretch their curiosity”, among other factors. The awards ceremony will take place in August in Ottawa.