Jon Klassen, a children’s book author and illustrator born in Winnipeg known for his work on “I Want My Hat Back,” has been honored with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at nearly $750,000. The prize, managed by the Swedish Arts Council, is presented annually to individuals or groups for their impact on children’s and young adult literature. Klassen’s body of work was commended by jurors for its subtle, perceptive, and amusing exploration of profound life questions.
Among his notable books are “I Want My Hat Back,” a story about a bear in search of his distinctive red hat, “This Is Not My Hat,” which narrates the tale of a small fish sporting a bowler hat stolen from a larger fish, “We Found a Hat,” depicting two turtles vying for a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In 2018, Klassen was appointed to the Order of Canada for his significant contributions to children’s literature.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Klassen is the first Canadian recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Established by the Swedish government in 2002, the award carries a prize of five million kronor, equivalent to approximately $744,000 in Canadian dollars.