Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award 2026
HABA 2026 Winners
Congratulations to Moniza Hossain and Wastana Haikal for winning the Picture Book Category with Street Puppy Masjid Cat, and Ling Yuan and Seck Li-Lyn for winning the Middle Grade Category with Strange Morning in Merlion Town.
The Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award (HABA) is presented biennially to an outstanding Singapore Children’s Picture Book and Middle Grade Book.
Objectives
- To recognise outstanding published works by Singapore writers and illustrators.
- To encourage the publication of quality children’s books in Singapore.
HABA 2026 Shortlist
Picture Book Category Middle Grade Category
Of 82 submissions this year, 10 works have been shortlisted for HABA 2026. The shortlisted works cover a wide range of timely topics, from philosophical meditations on grief and personal transformation through unlikely friendships, to bullying and environmental responsibility.
Click on the book covers to find out more about each title.
Picture Book Category
Judges’ Comments:
The overall quality of submissions this year was remarkably high, with many books demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of how young children process the world. Beyond the shortlist, we saw a heartening trend toward diverse visual styles and brave thematic choices. Our shortlisted titles represent the very best of the "dance" between word and image Lily’s Magic Pockets enchanted us by transforming a mundane neighbourhood walk into a tactile, "treasure"-filled quest that celebrates the spirit of exploration. In Street Puppy, Masjid Cat, we see a masterclass in the "less is more" philosophy; it is a brilliant example of a book excelling at what it promises, using a rhythmic prose that gently guides the reader through a specific cultural setting to find a universal heart.
Oneness with Your Wings took a grand, ambitious reach; while its philosophical depth is quite sophisticated, the grand vision of its sweeping landscapes creates a truly meditative space. Shelby and Mona succeeded by moving beyond biological traits to give us a story about two unique individuals with distinct voices, proving that even the most "unlikely" friendships can feel entirely authentic. Finally, Casey’s Colourful Day took an educational concept and made it vibrant and lively, though we were particularly struck by the inventive passages where characters describe their favourite hues.
Middle Grade Category
Judges’ Comments:
The Middle Grade submissions were a rollicking reminder of how much fun—and how high-stakes—tween literature can be. We reviewed everything from gritty realism to high-flying fantasy, and the sheer energy of the writing across the board was infectious.
The Epic Tale of Mikaela Kong succeeded by balancing mortal calamity with the daily life of a teenage girl; it’s a refreshing, modern take on legend where the characters feel genuinely real. In The Twin Blades of Doom, we found perhaps the most entertaining, rollicking read of the lot—a book that understands storytelling form well enough to subvert it and deliver gags that are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.
Wen & Giri Save the World brought a dynamic graphic novel energy to the list, defending Earth’s reputation through tight dialogue and a clever, innovative hook. Strange Morning in Merlion Town immediately impressed us with its wild imagination—the karaoke-singing kueh lapis is a detail we won't soon forget! It is a fittingly whimsical homage to classic "wonderland" tropes but with a deeply local heart.
Lastly, Kalee and the Mysterious Twins offered an earnest, imaginative concept centred on nature and mystery, providing a proactive hero that we believe young readers will undoubtedly root for.
Each of these books represents a unique triumph, and collectively, they show that our literary future is in very capable hands.
Chief Judge - J.H. Low (Singapore)
J.H. Low is an award-winning author-illustrator of picture books. His book Lemonade Sky (2021) is featured in the prestigious White Raven catalogue 2021 and also won him the Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award 2022. His recent publications include two graphic novels: Mr Goodchild (2021) and The Visitor (2022). Through these two books, J.H. Low explores existential issues with the picture book form and challenges conventional notion that the picture book is only for children’s consumption.
J.H. Low has a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, a MA in Children’s Book Illustration, and a PhD in Art.
Melanie Lee (Singapore)
Melanie Lee is the author of the award-winning middle-grade graphic novel series, Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma and picture book series, The Adventures of Squirky the Alien. She also wrote Out & About in Singapore, a travel guide series for children. She is a part-time communications and creative writing lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Jack Wong (Canada)
Jack Wong (黃雋喬) was born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver. In 2010, he left behind a life as a bridge engineer to pursue his Bachelor of Fine Arts at NSCAD University in Kjipuktuk / Halifax, Nova Scotia; he has called the east coast of Canada home ever since. Working as a children’s author/illustrator, Jack seeks to share his winding journey with young readers so that they may embrace the unique amalgams of experiences that make up their own lives.
His debut picture book, When You Can Swim, received a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, a Governor General’s Literary Award, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, and was a finalist for the Ezra Jack Keats Award. His second picture book, The Words We Share, received an Atlantic Book Award and was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association’s Blue Spruce Award. His other titles include All That Grows (Groundwood), and forthcoming titles from Scholastic and Abrams Books for Young Readers.
About Mrs Hedwig Anuar
Mrs Hedwig Anuar was the first Singaporean Director of the National Library of Singapore, a position she held from 1960 until her retirement in 1988. She put in place the foundations of the modern library system in Singapore and made contributions to all aspects of library work. This award recognises her outstanding contribution to children's librarianship and the promotion of books and reading for children.