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 prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, valued at nearly $750,000 and presented by the Swedish Arts Council annually to individuals or organizations for exceptional contributions to children’s and young adult literature. The judges commended Klassen’s collection of books for their insightful, witty exploration of profound life questions.
Among Klassen’s notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” recounting a bear’s quest to locate his distinctive red hat, “This Is Not My Hat,” depicting a small fish in a bowler hat and the larger fish from which it was pilfered, “We Found a Hat,” narrating the tale of two turtles vying for a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In recognition of his significant 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 accolade. Originating from the Swedish government in 2002, the award’s value amounts to five million kronor, equivalent to approximately $744,000 Canadian dollars.
