The global influence of Korean picture books continues to rise, with veteran author Lee Uk-bae securing a prestigious win at the 2026 BolognaRagazzi Awards. On Friday, Sakyejul Publishing said Lee’s 2020 picture book "The Story of a Brother and a Sister" was selected as a winner in the Fables and Fairy Tales category of this year’s BolognaRagazzi Awards. The award is widely considered one of the most coveted honors in international children’s publishing. The organizers said they saw a record-breaking 4,120 titles submitted from 73 countries and regions, marking a 6.8 percent increase in entries compared to the previous year. The awards typically feature five core categories — Fiction, Non-Fiction, Opera Prima (debut works by illustrators), Comics and Toddler — but also designate a special focus each year. For 2026, the committee selected Fairy Tales and Fables as the special category, where Lee’s work earned the top honor. Lee, 66, has long been celebrated for his ability to infuse traditional Korean aesthetics and humor into modern picture book storytelling. "The Story of a B