The Hans Christian Andersen Award is a prestigious international award given to authors and illustrators of children's literature. Established in 1956 by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), it recognizes outstanding contributions to children's books and aims to promote international understanding through literature. The award is named after the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, known for his beloved fairy tales. Every two years, the award is presented in two categories: one for an author and one for an illustrator. Recipients are selected based on their body of work, creativity, and impact on children's literature. The award highlights the importance of storytelling and illustration in nurturing young readers' imaginations.