We are delighted to share the news that five Rights and Brands represented authors and illustrators have been nominated for the prestigious Swedish literary prize Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2024. The full list of nominees was announced at the Frankfurt Bookfair in Germany last week.
Linda Bondestam, Siri Kolu, Jenny Lucander (FIN), Sven Nordqvist (SWE) and Bjørn F. Rørvik (NOR) are among the nominees for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2024. The award was created in 2002 by the Swedish government to promote every child’s right to great stories. The global award is given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature and is the greatest award for children’s and young adult literature with a prize of 5 million Swedish kronor. It’s administrated by the Swedish Arts Council.
Rights & Brands represent Linda Bondestam, Siri Kolu and Jenny Lucander with a focus on publishing and Sven Nordqvist and Bjørn F. Rørvik with a focus on licensing.
Linda Bondestam is one of the most prominent authors and illustrators in the Nordics. She has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award several times, and this is her sixth nomination. The children’s book If You Meet a Bear, illustrated by Bondestam was shortlisted for the 2023 Italian award Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi Narrazione per Immagini. Her most recent illustrated work, a collaboration with author Laura Ruohonen is the children’s book The Whole Caboodle published by Förlaget in Swedish and Otava in Finnish.
© Niklas Sandström
Siri Kolu is an acclaimed author who has received several literary awards including the prestigious Finlandia Prize. The English translation of Kolu’s The Robbersons and the Bandit Karaoke was among the winners of the English PEN Translates Award in 2022. Her most recent book is a touching YA novel The Slippery Hear was published by Otava in September 2023.
© Niclas Mäkelä
Jenny Lucander is a celebrated graphic artist and children’s book creator. This is her third nomination for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. One of her latest collaborations includes My Flying Grandma, a warm and moving story by Annika Sandelin, highlighted by Lucander’s atmospheric illustrations.
© Niklas Sandström
Bjørn F. Rørvik is the author of the best-selling Norweigan book series “Bukkene Bruse” (The Brothers Gruff). Sven Nordvist is the creator of Pettson and Findus, the world-famous children’s book series. He has also illustrated the unique characters Mamma Moo and Crow. Sven Nordqvist has received multiple awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the August Prize.
The total list of nominees includes 245 candidates from 68 countries. Here you can find the entire list of outstanding nominees. The laureate will be announced on the 9th of April 2024.
Our warmest congratulations to all nominees!