Jon Klassen, the author and illustrator of the popular children’s book “I Want My Hat Back,” originally from Winnipeg, has been honored with the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at nearly $750,000. Administered by the Swedish Arts Council, this annual award recognizes individuals or organizations for their significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature.
The panel of jurors commended Klassen’s body of work for its “subtle, astute, and humorous exploration of existential themes.” Among his notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” a story depicting a bear’s quest to find his missing 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,” centered around two turtles vying for ownership of a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.”
In 2018, Klassen was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his significant impact on children’s literature. Residing in Los Angeles, Klassen is the first Canadian to receive this esteemed award since its establishment by the Swedish government in 2002. The award, equivalent to five million kronor, amounts to approximately $744,000 Canadian dollars.
