Jon Klassen, a renowned author and illustrator of children’s books hailing from Winnipeg, has been honored with the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at nearly $750,000. Administered by the Swedish Arts Council on an annual basis, this award recognizes individuals or organizations for their significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature.
Judges commended Klassen for his collection of works, describing them as a thoughtful, perceptive, and amusing exploration of profound existential inquiries. Among his notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” a story about a bear on a quest to find his distinctive red hat, “This Is Not My Hat,” depicting a small fish donning a bowler hat stolen from a larger fish, “We Found a Hat,” narrating the tale of two turtles coveting a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.”
Recognized as a member of the Order of Canada in 2018, Klassen was acknowledged for his transformative influence on children’s literature. Currently residing in Los Angeles, he holds the distinction of being the first Canadian recipient of this esteemed award, initiated by the Swedish government in 2002 and equivalent to approximately $744,000 in Canadian dollars.
