Guus Kuijer Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

Posted on March 21, 2012

Guus Kuijer has won the 2012 Astrid Lindgren award. Kuijer has published over 30 children's books since he made his debut as a children's author in 1975. Most of his titles are aimed at young readers about to enter their teenage years. Some of his key works include The Book of Everything (2004), Florian Knol (2006) and Together Forever, Amen (1999). His books have been translated into more than 10 languages.

The jurors issued the following statement about Kuijer's books: "With an unprejudiced gaze and a sharp intellect, Guus Kuijer portrays both the problems facing contemporary society and life's big questions. Respect for children is as self-evident in his works as his rejection of intolerance and oppression. Kuijer combines serious subject matter and razor-sharp realism with warmth, subtle humour and visionary flights of fancy. His simple, clear and precise style accommodates both deep philosophical insight and graceful poetic expression."

The annual Astrid Lindgren award carries a cash prize of 5 million Swedish kronor (about $742,000). The award was named after Astrid Lindgren, author of the Pippi Longstocking books.