More candidates than ever for the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature

– To be awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is such a tremendous experience, says the Belgian illustrator Kitty Crowther, the 2010 recipient. On March 29th the recipient or recipients of the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature 2011 will be announced.

The nomination list for the 2011 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is the longest ever and is made up of 175 candidates from 62 countries. Previous recipients are eligible to nominate candidates, and in the nomination process this year three previous recipients have proposed candidates; Banco del Libro (recipients of 2007), Katherine Paterson (2006) and Kitty Crowther (2010).

It has been a turbulent year for Kitty Crowther. Receiving the award led to her books being published in new editions all around the world. She has received numerous invitations to public events, and a lot of attention from international media.

– An amazing thing about the award is that when it comes to literary festivals and book fairs everyone knows who you are. I don’t have to do anything! People want to meet me anyway. Everywhere I meet people who are passionate about children’s literature.

The recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2011 will be announced on March 29th at 13:00 CET.

– There are so many worthy winners, Kitty Crowther says. I hope for a recipient who loves life, a true humanitarian like Astrid Lindgren was.

The announcement will be broadcast live from Vimmerby to the International Children’s Book Fair in Bologna and can also be followed live on www.alma.se/en. For further details and interviews please contact helene.andersson@alma.se or +46 765 40 10 17.

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