▲ Writer Lee Su-ji
Writer Lee Su-ji of the picture book 'Summer is Coming' has been awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Prize, which is called the 'Nobel Prize in Children's Literature'.
At a press conference held in time for the opening of the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, the International Council for Children's Books announced that this author had been selected as the winner of the Andersen Prize in Illustrator.
This is the first time for a Korean artist to receive the Andersen Prize.
Previously, this artist was also the first Korean artist to be nominated in the illustrator category of the Andersen Prize in 2016, but did not win.
The Andersen Prize was created in 956 to commemorate the 19th century Danish children's writer Hans Christian Andersen, and is recognized as the highest authority in children's literature.
Every two years, one writer/illustrator who has continuously contributed to the development of children's literature is selected and awarded.
It is considered as a great honor for the winner as all works that the artist has created so far will be judged.
World-class picture book authors, including Erich Castner, Maurice Sendak, Christine Neustlinger and Anthony Brown, received this award ahead of this author.
This author, widely known in the United States and Europe, was also selected for the Excellence Award in the Fiction category at the 'Bologna Ragazzi Prize', which is referred to as the 'Nobel Prize for Picture Books' for 'Summer is Coming' last month.
(Photo = Courtesy of Biryongso, Yonhap News)