This is the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 1
Fast facts • The award was created by the Swedish
government in 2002, the year that Astrid Lindgren passed away • The prize amount is five million Swedish kronor, making it the largest award of its kind • It is awarded to authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and people or organisations that work with reading promotion • It is given annually and the laureates are selected by a twelve-member expert jury • Candidates are nominated by organisations and institutions from all over the world • The jury and previous laureates also have the right to suggest candidates • The award is presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, at a solemn ceremony in Stockholm • The name of the award is usually abbreviated ALMA • Maurice Sendak (USA) and Christine Nöstlinger (Austria) were the first laureates to receive the award • It is administrated by the Swedish Arts Council