Children have the right to great stories
The children's Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky and Susanne Gervay OAM advocate that children have the right to great stories especially in this world of crisis.
To lose yourself in a story is to find yourself in the grip of an irresistible power. A power that provokes thought, unlocks language and allows the imagination to roam free. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was created in 2002 by the Swedish government to promote every child’s right to great stories.
This global award is given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature. With a prize of five million Swedish kronor, it is the largest award of its kind. Above all else, it highlights the importance of reading, today and for future generations.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is awarded to those who continue to work in her spirit: with imagination, bravery, respect and empathy, and maintaining the highest level of artistic excellence. The attention of the award leads to more translations and to more children having access to high-quality literature—entertaining, innovative, challenging, or complex.
The prize amount of SEK 5,000,000 ($513,000) is a signal to the world that Sweden takes children’s reading very seriously. Reading books in translation fosters understanding among people and cultures. Children’s and young adult's access to literature is a precondition for democracy and openness. Literature opens the door to new worlds and has the ability to increase understanding and exchange between cultures and people.
Astrid Lindgren was living proof of what that can mean. Her work will continue to build bridges between people, across generations and cultures, for many years to come.
Ursula Dubosarsky was born in Sydney and wanted to be a writer from the age of six. She is now the author of over 60 books and has won many national prizes for children’s literature. She has been nominated internationally for the Hans Andersen and Astrid Lindgren awards and was Australian Children's Laureate.
Susanne Gervay OAM Awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award for her 17 books by the International Literacy Association and an Order of Australia for literature, Susanne Gervay is recognized for her youth literature from pre-school to young adult novels on social justice. She engages readers in complex issues from multiculturalism, disability to peace.
Contact: SCBWI Australia:- https://www.scbwi.org/regions/australiaeast; [email protected]; Ph: +61 413 050 922
Key Facts:
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Ursual Dubosarsky Children's Laureate and Susanne Gervay OAM important infiences for READING across the world.
Reading the hope for the future
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