Jon Klassen, a native of Winnipeg and the author and illustrator behind the popular children’s book “I Want My Hat Back,” has been honored with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at close to $750,000. The prestigious award, managed by the Swedish Arts Council, is given annually to individuals or entities for their significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature. Judges commended Klassen’s collection of works for their thoughtful exploration of profound questions in a subtle, perceptive, and humorous manner.
Among Klassen’s notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” a story about a bear on a quest to find his distinctive red hat, “This Is Not My Hat,” which narrates the tale of a small fish sporting a bowler hat stolen from a much larger fish, “We Found a Hat,” depicting two turtles competing for a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In recognition of his exceptional impact on children’s literature, Klassen was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Klassen stands as the first Canadian recipient of this esteemed award. Established by the Swedish government in 2002, the award carries a prize of five million kronor, equivalent to approximately $744,000 CAD.