Children's book artist Lee Soo-ji has become the first South Korean to be shortlisted for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Awards, her publisher said Tuesday.

Lee, whose English name is Suzy Lee, is among the five illustrator finalists of the biennial awards, which recognizes authors and illustrators for their "lasting contribution(s) to children's literature," Biryongso said.

Lee has published "The Zoo," "Mirror" and "Wave" in the United States, Switzerland and Italy. Her collaboration with American children's author Bernard Waber, "Ask Me," is one of The New York Times' Notable Children's Books of 2015.

Previous winners of HCAA include Germany's Erich Kastner, American Maurice Sendak, Austria's Christine Nostlinger and Britain's Anthony Browne.

Established in 1956, the awards will be delivered by the Queen of Denmark.

Winners of this year's HCAA will be announced on April 4. (Yonhap)