Dutch author Guus Kuijer won the prestigious 5 million Swedish kronor (US$742,000) Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, which recognizes a body of work in the spirit of the creator of Pippi Longstocking. He will be honored May 28 in Stockholm.
"With an unprejudiced gaze and a sharp intellect, Guus Kuijer portrays both the problems facing contemporary society and life's big questions," the jury observed. "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.
Kuijer expressed gratitude for the recognition and "hope that it will positively influence the position of children's literature in the Netherlands and abroad. As for my work, I consider The Book of Everything the most important."
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Some 119 finalists for the Lambda Literary Awards have been selected from a record number of nominations, organizer Lambda Literary Foundation said yesterday. Winners will be announced Monday, June 4, in New York City at the CUNY Graduate Center with an after-party at Slate.
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The James Beard Foundation announced its 2012 book award nominations in 11 categories. The complete shortlists can be found in the Los Angeles Times. Winners will be named May 4.
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Raptors of the West by Kate Davis, Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop (Mountain Press) has won the 2011 Montana Book Award, recognizing "literary and/or artistic excellence in a book written or illustrated by someone who lives in Montana, is set in Montana, or deals with Montana themes or issues."
The judges called Raptors of the West, the latest collaboration of photographers Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop and author/photographer Kate Davis, "a glorious photographic ode to the 45 birds of prey that roam the skies of the American West. The book is arranged by the habitat type, which gives a great way to identify many birds in one area. While the 430 stunning color photographs are enough to set this book apart on their own, Davis's informative and entertaining captions make this a perfect guide for all age groups."
Honor books:
- Beautiful Unbroken: One Nurse's Life by Mary Jane Nealon (Graywolf Press)
- Conjugations of the Verb To Be by Glen Chamberlain (Delphinium Books)
- Hand Raised: The Barns of Montana by Chere Jiusto and Christine Brown with photographs by Tom Ferris (Montana Historical Society Press)
- Where Elk Roam: Conservation and Biopolitics of Our National Elk Herd by Bruce L. Smith (Lyons Press)
Presentations and a reception with the winning authors will take place in April, during the Montana Library Association Conference at Big Sky.