The nomination process for the 2012 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has opened

The nomination process for the world’s largest award for children’s literature opened today. Over 400 expert organisations and institutions from all over the world are invited to suggest candidates for the 2012 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA).

The 5 million SEK award (approx. 480, 000 Euro) aims to promote interest in children’s and young adult literature and encourage authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and promoters of reading worldwide. Only active artists and authors can be rewarded.

The jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The 2012 winner(s) will be announced in March 2012. The list of organisations eligible to nominate to the 2012 award can be found on www.alma.se. A common feature of the nomination bodies is that they have a good overview and knowledge of authors, illustrators, storytellers and reading promotion activities in their countries or language areas.

Nominations must be received by the award office by May 16 at the latest. The nominees for ALMA 2012 are announced at www.alma.se/en in October.

The previous recipients of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award are: Kitty Crowther (Belgium, 2010), Tamer Institute for Community Education (Palestinian Territories, 2009), Sonya Hartnett (Australia, 2008), Banco del Libro (Venezuela, 2007), Katherine Paterson (USA, 2006),  Ryoji Arai (Japan 2005), Philip Pullman (Great Britain, 2005), Lygia Bojunga (Brazil, 2004), Christine Nöstlinger (Austria, 2003) and Maurice Sendak (USA, 2003).

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.