Jon Klassen, a children’s book author and illustrator hailing from Winnipeg known for his book “I Want My Hat Back,” has been honored with the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at nearly $750,000. The award, managed by the Swedish Arts Council, recognizes individuals or organizations for their significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature. Jurors commended Klassen’s collection of work for its insightful and humorous exploration of existential themes.
Among his notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” recounting a bear’s quest for his lost 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 vying for a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In 2018, Klassen was appointed to the Order of Canada in acknowledgment of his transformative impact on children’s literature.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Klassen stands as the first Canadian recipient of this esteemed award, established by the Swedish government in 2002, with a value of five million kronor, approximately $744,000 in Canadian currency.
