The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 and is the world’s largest children’s and youth literature prize.
The prize money is five million Swedish crowns (700.000 USD, 540.000 EURO).
The international prize is awarded each year to one or more recipients, regardless of language or nationality.
Authors, illustrators, storytellers and promoters of reading are eligible. The award is for lifelong work or artistry rather than for individual pieces. The prize can only be awarded to living people.
The body of work must uphold the highest artistic quality and evoke the deeply humanistic spirit that Astrid Lindgren treasured.
The purpose of the prize is to strengthen and increase interest in children's and young adult literature around the world. The award also aims to strengthen children's rights on a global level.
The award recipient is selected by a jury based on nominations for outstanding achievement from selected nominating bodies around the world. The jury has the right to suggest nominees of their own. Neither individuals nor organisations may nominate themselves.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council. Its acronym is ALMA.