The 5 million Swedish Kronor (about $540,000) 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has gone to Canadian illustrator and picture book artist Jon Klassen. The award will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on May 25 in Stockholm.
The jury commented: "Through his subtle and evocative storytelling in words and pictures, Jon Klassen opens new perspectives on our place in the universe. What happens when a rock falls from the sky, when hats disappear or a skull begins living a life of its own? With precision, emotion and inventive wit, life's challenges of uncertainty and hopefulness are portrayed in an interplay of color and form. Jon Klassen's brilliant tales stand out for their effortless elegance and ambiguous depth, where the reader becomes a co-creator."
The ALMA jury added that Klassen's body of work "forms a subtle, astute, and humorous investigation into existential questions, where feelings of anticipation, suspense, and shock play a central role. His books open new perspectives on life's challenges of uncertainty and hopefulness."