HRH Crown Princess Victoria Presented the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
The Canadian picture book artist Jon Klassen received this year’s Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award at a grand ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on Monday, May 25. The award was presented by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.− I will spend as much time as possible going forward trying to express what this award means to me. It is truly life-changing, said Jon Klassen in his acceptance speech.
In addition to the prize sum of SEK 5 million, Jon Klassen received a diploma created by Clara Dackenberg. The evening’s host was Philomène Grandin. Entertainment was provided by Esther and
This year’s Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award goes to Canadian illustrator and picture book artist Jon Klassen. With precision, emotion and inventive wit, he portrays life’s challenges of uncertainty and hopefulness in an interplay of colour and form. The prize amounts to 5 million SEK (approx. 464 000 EUR, 530 000 USD) making it the world's largest award for children’s and young adult literature. The award will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on May 25, 2026, at the Concert Hall in Stockholm.The jury’s motivation:
“Through his subtle and evocative storytelling in
Welcome to cover the announcement of the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, live from Stockholm and the Bologna Children's Book Fair on April 14. The award amounts to 5 million SEK (approx. 464 000 EUR, 530 000 USD) making it the world's largest award for children’s and young adult literature. This year, 263 candidates from 74 countries and regions are nominated.When: Tuesday, April 14 at 13:00 CETVenue: Foajé 3, Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, Stockholm
Swedish Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand will perform an official greeting. The jury chair Boel Westin will then announce the
A total of 263 candidates from 74 countries and regions have been nominated for the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, including 78 candidates new from previous years. The list of nominees is one of the most complete rosters of the leading children’s book creators and reading promoters from around the world. The laureate will be announced on 14 April 2026.The list of nominees includes authors, illustrators and storytellers from all over the world. Also on the list are reading promoters, whose work can inspire concrete efforts to stimulate young people’s interest in reading.
Between now
The French author Marion Brunet received the world’s largest literature award for children’s and young adult literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, at a grand ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall on Monday, June 9. The award was presented by HRH Prince Carl Philip.− Astrid Lindgren was bold enough to tackle dark topics such as death and abandonment, and took her readers very seriously. She put her talent at the service of literature intended for children, yes, but which speaks to all of us no matter how old we are. I am extremely proud to have my name linked to hers, said Marion
On Monday, June 9, the French author Marion Brunet will receive the 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award at Konserthuset in Stockholm. The award diploma will be presented by HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden.Time: Monday, June 9 at 18–19 CET. The seats must be taken at the latest 17:45.Place: Konserthuset, Stockholm
During a grand evening, we celebrate Marion Brunet and her authorship. The host of the evening is Farah Abadi.
Accreditation:
Journalists/photographers who wish to attend need to pre-register no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 8. For accreditation, please contact
The 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award goes to the French author Marion Brunet. In her novels, written in a shimmering and crystal-clear prose, Brunet spotlights burning social issues and draws insightful portraits of vulnerable groups and young people in revolt. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award amounts to 5 million SEK (approx. 450 000 EUR, 495 000 USD) making it the largest international children’s and young adult literature award in the world. The award ceremony will take place on June 9, 2025, at the Concert Hall in Stockholm.”Marion Brunet is a brilliant describer of young peoples’
A total of 265 candidates from 72 countries and regions have been nominated for the 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, including 81 candidates new from previous years. The list of nominees is one of the most complete rosters of the leading children’s book creators and reading promoters from around the world. The laureate will be announced on 1 April 2025.– All children have the right to great stories. That is why it is pleasing to have so many new candidates on the list, but above all, that they come from more countries than last year. For anyone interested in children's and young adult
The Swedish Arts Council Board has decided to appoint Maria Fröhlich, Pernilla Leviner and Johan Rundberg as new members of the jury for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. They will take up the positions on July 1st.Maria Fröhlich is an illustrator, author, and comic book artist. She has written and illustrated the Ruby books, with the first part, Ruby & Lion, published in 2021. She made her U.S. debut with a comic adaptation of Neil Gaiman's short story The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury in 2013. Maria is a member of the Swedish Academy for Children's Books and a professional representative
The Australian organisation Indigenous Literacy Foundation received the world’s largest literature award for children’s and young adult literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, at a ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall on Tuesday, June 4. The award was presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.− We believe in the fundamental human right that is learning to read and write and that right should extend to Indigenous languages. If we lose these languages the cost is incomprehensible through the loss of culture, identity, wisdom, knowledges and expertise we all require to build
The Australian organisation Indigenous Literacy Foundation received the world’s largest literature award for children’s and young adult literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, at a ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall on Tuesday, June 4. The award was presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.− We believe in the fundamental human right that is learning to read and write and that right should extend to Indigenous languages. If we lose these languages the cost is incomprehensible through the loss of culture, identity, wisdom, knowledges and expertise we all require to build
