The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has revealed the recipients of its 2026 Carle Honors, who will be commended at an event this fall. This year’s honorees were selected by a jury chaired by Leonard S. Marcus, children’s literature historian and founder of the Carle Honors Committee.

Marcus said in a statement, “Each year the Carle Honors shines a light on the many varieties of talent and commitment that come together to bring the world’s children the books they deserve. Our honorees’ inspired efforts have never been more needed than they are today. It’s both a privilege and a pleasure to have this chance to celebrate with them.”

Bryan Collier—four-time Caldecott Honor artist, six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and three-time CSK Honoree—has been selected as the 2026 Artist. In 2014, he was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Most recently, Black Boy, Rise, written by Brynne Barnes and illustrated by Collier, was nominated for Outstanding Literary Work—Children at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. In addition to numerous other accolades, Collier was the former program director at the Harlem Horizon Art Studio at the Harlem Hospital Center for 12 years and continues to volunteer for the organization.

Ellen Michelson has been named Angel for her work as president of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, the leading private funder of Creative Aging, which offers arts education for adults over the age of 55. The foundation’s efforts are directed at more than 25 American art museums, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and the American Alliance of Museums. Michelson is also a collector of children’s books and has loaned items to the Grolier Club (100 Books Famous in Children’s Literature, 2014), the University of Minnesota Kerlan Collection (The ABC of It, 2019); and the Carle (CLICK! Photographers Make Picture Books, 2026).

This year’s Bridge is the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany, the world’s largest library for children’s and youth literature from around the globe, founded in 1949 by Jella Lepman. In the words of the Carle Honors Committee, “The work of the IYL is guided by the conviction that children’s and young adult books are an essential part of the cultural life of a society and a country, and as such must be preserved, documented, and shared.” As part of its mission, the IYL organizes exhibitions, readings, workshops, panels, and an international literature festival, as well as a fellowship program for foreign researchers.

Claudia Zoe Bedrick, publisher, editor, and art director of Enchanted Lion Books, is being recognized as Mentor. The New York City-based independent press—which launched an imprint for older readers, Unruly, in 2020 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027—is dedicated to publishing picture books that “inspire wonder and curiosity”, with a particular focus on works in translation. The jury stated, “Across years and books, Enchanted Lion has sought to explore, extend, and subtilize the unique space that is the picture book, while enlarging our collective sense of what is possible.”

The Inspiration award goes to Robert L. Forbes, in celebration of his work as a collector, photographer, writer, and veteran advocate of the arts and education. His publications include three books of poetry, illustrated by Ronald Searle, and Addison Mizner, Visionary Architect, illustrated by Barbara McClintock. In addition to leading storytimes across South Florida for nearly two decades, Forbes is a trustee emeritus and member of the Collections Committee at the Carle, and he serves as chair of the Library Committee and vice chairman of the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Fla.

Executive director Jennifer Schantz said of the winners in a statement, “Through their extraordinary contributions as artists, editors, publishers, curators, and advocates, they have expanded the possibilities of the picture book and affirmed the power of art to foster imagination, empathy, and understanding.”

The awards will be presented at a benefit gala on September 17 at the New York Historical in New York City.