The World's Largest Children's Literature Award

Award Week

Books for the young become friends for the young.

Sonya Hartnett

Beautiful award ceremony when Hartnett recieved prize

Wonderful sun, a great audience and some of Sweden's finest artist on stage when Sonya Hartnett received the 2008 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

None looked happier than award winner Sonya Hartnett when H.R.H. Crown princess Victoria presented the award, made by artist Oskar Korsár and calligraphed by Annika Rücker. The award ceremony was broadcasted live on Swedish television and hosted by Kattis Ahlström. The Swedish Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth gave a speech.

Sonya Hartnett thanked the jury and the Swedish people for the award and for regarding children's and young people's literature with such high regard.

Speeches

Sonya Hartnett Acceptance Speech

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is awarded annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature, and in children's rights, globally. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council, and was founded by the Swedish government in 2002.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Swedish Arts Council
P.O.Box 272 15
102 53 Stockholm

Visit: Borgvägen 1–5, Stockholm
Telephone: +46 (0)8-519 264 00
Fax: +46 (0)8-519 264 99
E-mail: literatureaward@alma.se