FROM YOUR EDITOR The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2018
This year’s winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is U.S. author Jacqueline Woodson.
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| Jacqueline Woodson (credit Carlos Diaz) |
Jacqueline writes novels, poetry and picture books, primarily for young teens, including the award-winning autobiographical verse novel Brown Girl Dreaming (2014). You can find out more about Jacqueline here.
Jacqueline says of her writing:
It’s important to hold up mirrors for kids to see their experience is legitimate. Too often those mirrors aren’t there for them.
Jacqueline’s ethos is perfectly suited to ALMA’s ethos:
Children’s literature has the ability to encourage understanding and exchange between cultures and people. Children’s and young adult's access to literature is a precondition for democracy and openness. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the foundation of our work.
The prize is worth 5 million Swedish krona (approx. £425,000) and is given annually to authors, illustrators, oral storytellers or reading promoters working to stimulate reading by children and young adults. The jury’s citation for Jacqueline reads:
Jacqueline Woodson introduces us to resilient young people fighting to find a place where their lives can take root. In language as light as air, she tells stories of resounding richness and depth. Jacqueline Woodson captures a unique poetic note in a daily reality divided between sorrow and hope.
CANDIDATES 2018
Two hundred and thirty-five candidates from 60 countries were in the running for 2018’s Astrid Lindgren Memorial, including SCBWI-BI’s very own John Shelley. Candidates are nominated by organisations from all over the world and can be writers, illustrators, oral storytellers or reading promoters. |
| John Shelley in his studio |
HAVE YOUR SAY!
This year, SCBWI-BI will be nominating again. If you would like to put forward a suggestion for a person, people or organisation who deserves this award, post it here or on the Facebook page, along with your reason. We can nominate up to four candidates, two from Britain and two from other countries. We need your suggestions by the beginning of May.
Feature image: Stefan Tell
Claire Watts is Editor of Words & Pictures. You can contact her at editor@britishscbwi.org
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