Jon Klassen, a Canadian author and illustrator 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. The award, presented annually by the Swedish Arts Council, recognizes individuals or organizations for their significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature. Judges commended Klassen for his collection of works, describing them as a thoughtful and humorous exploration of fundamental life questions.
Among Klassen’s notable works are “I Want My Hat Back,” a story about a bear in search of his distinctive red hat, “This Is Not My Hat,” which depicts a small fish in a stolen bowler hat being pursued by a larger fish, “We Found a Hat,” narrating the tale of two turtles vying for a cowboy hat, and the award-winning “Cats’ Night Out.” In 2018, he was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his significant impact on children’s literature.
Residing in Los Angeles, Klassen holds the distinction of being the first Canadian to receive this esteemed award since its establishment by the Swedish government in 2002. The prize, equivalent to approximately $744,000 Canadian dollars, underscores Klassen’s exceptional talent and dedication to the field of children’s literature.