Pénélope Bagieu has been named the godmother of the 2027 UNICEF Children's Literature Prize, which focuses on the right of children to be protected. The prize encourages young readers to explore their rights through books, with a special emphasis on issues like bullying, violence, consent, discrimination, abuse, exploitation, and conflicts. Sixteen books have been selected for children aged 3 to 15, and voting is open until April 30, 2027. The theme for this year's edition is "Growing up safely, words to protect." The selection was made by a jury composed of children and professionals in education and children's literature, and the books are divided into four age categories. For children aged 3 to 5, the selected books include Pavel et Mousse by Aurore Petit (Les Fourmis rouges), Et alors? by Sonia Coudert and Grégoire Mabire (Mijade), C'est bien, mon cœur by Owen Gent (Obriart), and Le Consentement by Agnès Cathala and Valentine Choquet (Milan). For children aged 6 to 8, the books are Tu es une exploratrice by Shahrzad Shahrjerdi and Ghazal Fathollahi (Alice édition), Les Pansements invisibles by Baptiste Beaulieu and Qin Leng (Les Arènes), Le Vilain Roi Vikain by Céline Claire and Laura Giraud (Talents hauts), and 5 questions à poser à un oiseau by Laurence Gillot and Guilin Braïda (Éditions du Pourquoi pas). For children aged 9 to 12, the books include Et toi, Jules? by Gaëlle Droz-Sauthier and Noémie Naoumi (Helvetiq), Semer des soleils by Andrée Poulin and Enzo (Alice édition), Mischka by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman (L’École des loisirs), and Bobine et Pop-Corn by Patricia Vigier (Le Muscadier). For children aged 13 to 15, the selected books are Tout le monde déteste Louise by Annelise Heurtier (Casterman), Partir? by Julia Billet (Le Calicot), Enragée by Cécile Alix (Slalom), and Le Silence est à nous by Coline Pierré (Flammarion). Young readers can vote until April 30, 2027, at home, at school, in libraries, or in their leisure centers. The four winners will be announced in June. Educational resources will accompany the selection, and since 2019, a portion of the books has been made accessible to blind and visually impaired children. Pénélope Bagieu, a cartoonist and author, stated that books can help children put words to what they experience, understand their rights, and know that they can ask for help. She expressed happiness about accompanying this edition of the UNICEF Prize, which gives children a central place and allows them to be heard. Pénélope Bagieu is also the author of Culottées (Gallimard), which was awarded the Eisner Prize, and the graphic adaptation of Sacrées Sorcières, an adaptation of the book by Roald Dahl. In 2026, for the 10th edition, more than 45,000 children had participated in the vote. Loujain rêve des tournesols by Lina Alhathloul and Uma Mishra-Newbery (3-5 years), Qui s'occupe de Martha? by Emmanuelle Toussaint (6-8 years), La jungle by Sarah Lecoq (9-12 years), and Ratures indélébiles by Aurelle Gaillard (13-15 years), had won their respective categories.