A day after being named the 2026 winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration, Chinese picture book artist Cai Gao is already focusing on what comes next, from expanding original works for toddlers to developing new series rooted in folk traditions and early childhood themes.

Speaking on Tuesday following the announcement at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, Cai described the honor as carrying weight beyond the individual.

"This is not an award for one person," she said. "It belongs to a generation of creators, and to the collective voice of Chinese picture books."

Awarded biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People, the prize is widely regarded as the highest international distinction in children's literature, recognizing a lifetime contribution by an author and an illustrator.

In its citation, the jury praised Cai for a body of work that demonstrates "outstanding artistic quality" and a distinctive visual language that expands the possibilities of illustration for children. Her illustrations, it noted, move between tradition and modernity, combining technical mastery with creativity, sensitivity and innovation.

Yet, Cai's focus now is firmly on future creation. "I still have many things I want to do," she said during a group interview in Changsha, Hunan province, expressing a wish for more time and space to continue her work. Among her priorities is developing original books for children aged 0-3, a field she described as particularly challenging. "It's difficult, but someone has to do it. I want to be part of that."

She is also exploring the idea of interconnected series, building on themes such as birth, childhood memory and folk traditions, with deeper links to nursery rhymes and her earlier works.

"I grew up with my grandmother's stories and nursery rhymes," she said. "My work is deeply nourished by the land and folk traditions of China."

Born in 1946 in Changsha, Cai is widely regarded as a pioneer of original Chinese picture books. She began her career as an art editor before turning to illustration, going on to create more than 40 titles. Her 1993 work Bao'er won the Golden Apple Award at the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava, marking a milestone for Chinese illustrators on the international stage.

Experts said the award reflects both Cai's individual achievement and the rising international attention on original Chinese picture books. Tan Fengxia, a professor at Nanjing Normal University and a member of the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award jury, said Cai's work stands out because it remains closely connected to Chinese cultural traditions while still speaking directly to children.

This balance between cultural depth and child-friendly storytelling makes her books widely recognized and distinctive.

Looking ahead, Cai said her focus will remain on childhood and early experience. "Whatever my future works will be like, I will slowly dedicate them to my readers," she said."To those who have supported me, and to the children who read my books. I won't let them down."

Zhu Youfang in Changsha contributed to this story.