Dedicated to recognising emerging talent in children’s book illustration, the competition provides young illustrators with opportunities for international exposure and professional recognition, while helping them expand the reach and commercial potential of their work through exhibitions, the annual yearbook, and promotional initiatives that connect illustrators with publishers, brands, and creative industries.
Throughout the summer, the Jury composed of 5 international experts—Emily Gravett (UK), Lee Jee Eun (South Korea), Charlotte Moundlic (France), Ruan Yunting (China), Sun Zhaozhi (China)—reviewed 2,100 entries using a shared online system and finalised their selection via digital conference.
The 50 finalists represent 19 countries and territories across six continents, reflecting the diversity and vitality of the international illustration scene. The selection also highlights a notably young generation of emerging artists, with the youngest finalist aged just 24.
The 50 finalists’ artworks will be presented at the Golden Pinwheel Exhibition during the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair from 13 to 15 November. Their illustrations will also be featured in the 2026 Golden Pinwheel Yearbook, which will be published in November and distributed among the Fair’s exhibitors and partners
From 4 November, the finalists’ works will also be available digitally through the Golden Pinwheel Online Gallery on the competition’s official website. From that day to the opening of CCBF on 13 November, viewers of the Online Gallery and visitors to CCBF will be invited to vote for their favourite works. The illustrator receiving the highest number of votes will win the Golden Pinwheel People’s Choice Award.
The winners of the abovementioned awards will be announced at the Fair.
