Katarina Eriksson Barajas
Photo: Elliot Elliot
What did you want to be when you grew up?
"Lots of things. A shop worker, an interior designer, a theatre extra."
Why is it important for children and young people to get the chance to discover fiction and literature?
"Because reading is so much fun! The fact that it’s educational doesn’t hurt either. Reading fiction is a chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes, to figure out your place within a larger context, and to expand your language skills, which in turn may make it easier to express your own thoughts and feelings."
What makes a good children’s book?
"It should be appealing, but at the same time, it should offer a bit of challenge. I think a good children’s book often portrays complex events or a difficult subject in a way that feels simple. Or it could do the opposite: portray everyday life in a way that is stylistically more advanced."
Jury with extensive knowledge
Rewarding the highest-quality work demands an expert knowledge of international children’s and YA literature as well as children’s rights and children’s reading. The twelve-member expert jury has the challenging but pleasant task of evaluating some of the world's most prominent candidates each year and selecting a laureate.
Find out more about the jury