The Children's Book Council (CBC) of Iran has selected Ahmad Akbarpour, an author, and Reza Dalvand, an illustrator, as Iran's nominees for the 2028 Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Akbarpour was chosen by the CBC for the second time. Previously, in 2026, he was among six finalists in the author category, although he did not win, according to IRNA.
Ahmad Akbarpour, 56, from Fars province, is a writer of novels, short stories, and children's books. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran and a master's degree in children's literature from Shiraz University in Shiraz.
Before transitioning to children's and youth literature after encountering Konstantin Virgilius Georgiou's work 'The Twenty-Fifth Hour,' he initially wrote for adult audiences. Having studied under Reza Barahani and Hoshang Golshiri, he soon began writing fiction for teenagers using a postmodern writing style.
After being presented to the Iranian Children's Book Council, he published his first poetry collection and quickly became one of the most well-known authors for young readers in Iran, releasing over 50 books.
His short novel 'Train of That Night' (1999) received the 'Book of the Year' award from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran. Throughout his career, Akbarpour has addressed themes such as loneliness, fear, and peace.
In some of his works, he demonstrates his aversion to the destructive influence of war on children. His anti-war children's book 'Goodnight, Commander' and 'Train of That Night,' illustrated by Isabelle Arseno, were published in English by Groundwood Books in the USA and Canada in 2010 and 2012, respectively.
Known for inventive narration that challenges conventional narratives, Akbarpour encourages readers to think critically and empathetically, weaving universal themes such as friendship, family, and peace into his works, such as 'The Giant and the Bicycle.'
His versatility spans humor, fantasy, realism, and myth, as seen in works like 'Goodnight, Commander,' 'Girl Rock,' and 'Train of That Night.' He also addresses social issues, including the experiences of children with special needs or from marginalized segments of society. His stories often collaborate closely with Iranian illustrators, enhancing their visual and emotional impact.
His works, translated into numerous languages including English, German, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Italian, Portuguese, and Arabic, and adapted into films, have received recognition, including inclusion in the White Ravens list 2024 (Munich), participation in the Shiraz National Children's Literature Festival, and inclusion in Iran's list of 'Books to Read and Influential Over the Last Thirty-Three Years.'
He was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023 and 2025. A distinguishing feature of his work is the humor that makes his texts engaging and enjoyable. Akbarpour, constantly seeking new and diverse elements, is capable of viewing his subject matter from a fresh perspective in some works and engaging the reader's imagination. He has also worked on rewriting old legends, conducting research, and collecting Persian satirical proverbs and traditional children's games.
In addition to writing books, Akbarpour acts as a mentor for emerging authors by conducting workshops, helping to shape the next generation of Iranian children's literature. His commitment to creativity, inclusivity, and critical thinking has made him a leading voice in world children's literature.
Reza Dalvand, 37, is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 30 books for readers of all ages, including 'Where Is My Home?' and 'Elephant of Mrs. Bibi.' His works have been exhibited in numerous individual and group exhibitions in Iran, England, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, and several other countries.
His illustrations have gained international recognition: he has been included in the longlist of the World Illustration Awards, presented twice at the Bologna Exhibition Book Fair, received the Grand Prize of the Osaka Museum of Book Illustration in Japan, was nominated for two Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards, and was recognized at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, among others.
Dalvand is a member of the Iranian Society of Illustrators. He graduated from Isfahan University of Arts and received a master's degree in illustration from Tehran University. He taught at Tehran University and worked as an art director on hundreds of children's books.
His work combines emotional narrative with poetic imagery, often exploring themes such as childhood, self-acceptance, social justice, and identity. By creating magical worlds based on real cultures, details, and feelings, he invites both children and adults into stories that are whimsical yet deeply human.
Strongly inspired by his Persian heritage, his work carries a universal resonance that has reached readers around the world.
The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are two literary prizes awarded biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) that recognize the contribution of a living author and a living illustrator to children's literature. The writing award was established in 1956, and the illustration award in 1966. The former is sometimes called the Nobel Prize for Children's Literature. These awards are named after Hans Christian Andersen, the 19th-century Danish fairy tale author, and each laureate receives the Hans Christian Andersen Medal (a gold medal with Andersen's bust) and a diploma.