Jan 11, 2013 08:23 UTC Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award launches reading guides for works by recipients Today, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) launches reading guides for twelve works by ten previous recipients. The reading guides are written by members of the jury who are experts of children’s and young adult literature. – The Astrid Lindgren Memorial is not just an award focusing on a specific writer, illustrator or organisation when the award is presented, it is an ongoing reading promotion project, says director Helen Sigeland. We are promoting the best books in the world for young people in as many ways as possible. Hopefully these reading guides will inspire teachers and librarians to include these books in curriculums, reading clubs and workshops. And maybe they can give publishing houses ideas for translations! The reading guides contain an introduction of the author, description of the contents, a suggested interpretation and topics for discussions. The guides are based on the following books: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Maikäfer, flieg! (Fly Away Home) by Christine Nöstlinger, O Meu Amigo Pintor (My Friend the Painter) by Lygia Bojunga, Northen Lights by Philip Pullman, Basu ni Notte by Ryôji Arai, The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson, The Ghost’s Child by Sonya Hartnett, The Devil Latch by Sonya Hartnett, Alors? by Kitty Crowther, Lénfant Racine by Kitty Crowther, The Arrival by Shaun Tan and Het Boek Van Alle Dingen(The Book of Everything) by Guus Kuijer. The reading guides can be downloaded for free at www.alma.se/en. More information Helene Andersson, Communication Officer Phone: +46 8 519 264 17 E-mail: [email protected] The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is given annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature and to strengthen children's rights globally. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 and is administrated by the Swedish Arts Council. Contacts Mariella Kucer Press Contact Communications Officer [email protected] +46 (0)8 519 264 17 +46 (0)76 540 10 17.