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Gecko Press is publishing books by writer Barbro Lindgren and writer/illustrator Wolf Erlbruch in 2008.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, established by the Swedish Government in 2002, is the world’s largest children’s and young people’s literary award. The annual international prize of SEK 5 million (equivalent to approx. USD 680,000, 540,000 Euros) may be awarded to authors, illustrators, narrators and/or promoters of reading whose work reflects the spirit of Astrid Lindgren. The object of the award is to increase interest in children’s and young people’s literature, and to promote children’s right to culture on a global level. The award is administered by The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs.
Every year the jury invites nominating bodies from around the world to suggest candidates for the prize. The nominating groups are organisations and institutions with good overviews of authors, illustrators, storytellers and activities that encourage reading in their countries or regions. Every country in the world may make a nomination. The award jury also has the right to suggest candidates. No groups or individuals may apply for the prize or nominate themselves. A list of the qualified nominators is at www.alma.se.
Previous award winners are: 2006, the American author Katherine Paterson, 2005 the Japanese illustrator Ryôji Arai and the British author Philip Pullman, 2004, the Brazilian author Lygia Bojunga, 2003 the Austrian author Christine Nöstlinger and the American illustrator and author Maurice Sendak.
The jury will now work through the nominations until March next year, when the announcement of the award winner for 2008 will take place. |