Astrid Lindgren Award winner 2006 announced

'The growth of the imagination demands windows - windows through which we can look out at the world, and windows through which we can look at ourselves.'

The American writer Katherine Paterson, who made this comment, has been awarded the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Established by the Swedish Government, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest award for literature for children and young readers. The annual international prize of SEK 5 million (equivalent to approximately USD 640,000 or 530,000 Euros) may be awarded to authors, illustrators, narrators and/or promoters of reading whose work reflects the spirit of Astrid Lindgren. The object of the award is to increase interest in literature for children and young people, and to promote children's cultural rights on a global level. The award is administered by The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs.

The judges commented on this year's winner: 'Katherine Paterson is a brilliant psychologist who gets right under the skin of the vulnerable young people she creates, whether in historical or exotic settings, or in the grim reality of the USA today. With a deft aesthetic touch she avoids simple solutions, building instead on the inner strength and courage of her main characters.'

H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will present the award at a ceremony at Skansen in Stockholm on 31 May 2006. The ceremony is open to the general public.