Johan Rundberg
Photo: Elliot Elliot
What distinguishes a truly good children’s book, according to you?
"For me, a good book is a pleasurable challenge. I don’t mean challenging in the sense of hard; more like unpredictable. Stretching your boundaries, changing the way you see things. But the key thing is pleasure—feeling like you just can’t wait for the next chapter."
You write books for a living. Do you have any advice for children and young people who dream of being writers?
"The main thing, of course, is to read. Reading books in different genres will help you understand how to construct a story. Another tip I often give is to try and imitate your favourite authors. You can never truly copy anyone else’s style. What ultimately happens is that you find your own."
In 2023, you received a different prize named after Astrid—the Astrid Lindgren Prize, which was instituted by her publishing company and is awarded to Swedish writers. How did it feel to be selected for that award?
"In a way, it felt like coming full circle. Astrid’s books were a major reason I started writing, and receiving a prize in her name felt like proof that my 10-year-old self was right. Stories are the best thing in the world, and working with stories is what I want to do."
