Jon Klassen, a children’s book author and illustrator originally from 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 award, overseen by the Swedish Arts Council, recognizes individuals or entities for their contributions to children’s and young adult literature. Judges commended Klassen’s collection of works for its insightful and witty exploration of profound themes.
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,” depicting a small fish donning a bowler hat he pilfered from a larger fish, “We Found a Hat,” narrating the tale of two turtles vying for a cowboy hat, and the Governor General’s Literary Award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In 2018, Klassen was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his significant contributions to children’s literature.
Residing in Los Angeles, Klassen is the first Canadian recipient of this prestigious award, established by the Swedish government in 2002, with a value of approximately $744,000 Canadian dollars.