Wednesday 24 March 2010

Hans Christan Andersen Award Winners

Well I have been absent for a couple of weeks and so much has happened it is difficult to know where to start. However the thrilling news that David Almond has won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Author Award must surely be the best place!


This award is probably the most prestigious of the international children's literature awards that can be given to an author. It is presented bi-annually and although the announcement has been made in Bologna at the annual book fair it will be in Spain that David will receive his medal.


The medal and award are given by IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People, to an author and also an illustrator - that category was won by Jutta Bauer, a German illustrator - whose work is considered to have made a considerable and lasting contribution to children's literature.


David Almond is an author who has been contributing to children's literature for many years with his special combination of magic and realism and one of his best known books and his very first, Skellig, which won the Carnegie medal is an influential and much loved story. What is particularly special about his writing is the way in which he can capture the hearts and minds of his intended audience - children - yet also adults too. David has written a number of other titles, all of which continue to challenge and inspire his readers.


I am sure readers of Armadillo and this blog will join with me in extending congratulations to both David and Jutta on their achievements.

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