Global perspective generates exciting candidate list

The nominations for Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award the 2014 were presented today at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The list includes 238 candidates from 68 countries. Up 15% on the 2013 figure, the number of nominations continues the upward trend seen over the past few years.

– We owe the efforts of our active nominating bodies for this impressive list, says Larry Lempert, Chairman of the ALMA jury. Many nominating bodies have chosen not only to nominate their compatriots, but also to propose candidates from other countries. This shows that our nominating bodies have a global perspective in their work.

Each nominating body can nominate up to four candidates: two from its own country and two from other countries. More than 100 bodies worldwide have nominated authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and reading promoters for the 2014 award.

– This makes the list a goldmine for anyone interested in current children’s and young adult literature and reading promoting work around the world, Mr Lempert notes.

Of this year’s candidates, 54 are first-time nominees.

The laureate or recipients of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2014 will be announced on 25 March 2014. The award will be presented at a ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall on 2 June 2014.