For her unique authorship dedicated to the rights of children and respect for their individuality.
Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) was a Swedish author. Her children’s books have been read and loved by young and old around the world. Pippi Longstocking, one of the most loved, has been translated into 60 languages.
Lindgren’s personal warmth, idealism, sense of humour and sheer humanity was legendary. Her books have expressed a world of loving relationships and soaring spirits of empowerment and freedom and closeness to nature for future generations across continents.
Throughout her life, Lindgren stood up for children’s right to security and love. She took clear stands against the corporal punishment of children. In later years, Lindgren got engaged in the struggle for better animal welfare and was instrumental in passing a new law in 1988 controlling factory farming, which put Sweden among the most progressive countries on this issue.
Astrid Lindgren passed away in 2002 at the age of 94. Her legacy lives on.
If I have brightened up one single sad childhood, then I have at least accomplished something in my life.
Astrind Lindgren, 1994 Laureate
Astrid Lindgren was born in 1907 on a farm in the province of Småland in southern Sweden, but she spent all her adult life in Stockholm, a factor that was of great importance for her writing. She went to Stockholm as an 18-year-old and married in 1931. For her daughter, Karin, born in 1934, her character Pippi Longstocking was created in 1941.
Lindgren received numerous awards, beginning with second prize in Rabén and Sjögren's competition in 1944, for her book The Confidences of Britt-Mari, which launched her literary career. Later awards include the Nils Holgersson Plaque (1950), the Hans Christian Andersen Award (1958), the Swedish Academy's Gold Medal (1971) and the prestigious German 'Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels' (1978).
As one of Sweden's best-loved citizens, Lindgren had considerable public influence, which she used sparingly. A story in 1976 about high tax rates reducing its hero to beggary is sometimes credited with the downfall of the Swedish government in that year and tax cuts thereafter.
Astrid Lindgren was born in 1907 on a farm in the province of Småland in southern Sweden, but she spent all her adult life in Stockholm, a factor that was of great importance for her writing. She went to Stockholm as an 18-year-old and married in 1931. For her daughter, Karin, born in 1934, her character Pippi Longstocking was created in 1941.
Lindgren received numerous awards, beginning with second prize in Rabén and Sjögren's competition in 1944, for her book The Confidences of Britt-Mari, which launched her literary career. Later awards include the Nils Holgersson Plaque (1950), the Hans Christian Andersen Award (1958), the Swedish Academy's Gold Medal (1971) and the prestigious German 'Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels' (1978).
As one of Sweden's best-loved citizens, Lindgren had considerable public influence, which she used sparingly. A story in 1976 about high tax rates reducing its hero to beggary is sometimes credited with the downfall of the Swedish government in that year and tax cuts thereafter.
Bibliography (a selection) with Swedish titles and year of publication:
- Pippi Longstocking / Pippi Långstrump, 1945
- Bill Bergson, Master Detective / Mästerdetektive Blomkvist, 1946
- The Six Bullerby Children / Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn, 1947
- Nils Karlsson-Pyssling or Simon Small / Nils Karlsson-Pyssling, 1949
- Mio, My Son / Mio min Mio, 1954
- Rasmus and the Vagabond / Rasmus på luffen, 1956
- The Children on Troublemaker Street / Barnen på Bråkmakargatan, 1958
- Madicken or Mardie's Adventures / Madicken, 1960
- Seacrow Island / Vi på Saltkråkan, 1964
- Emil's Pranks or Emil Gets Into Mischief / Nya hyss av Emil i Lönneberga, 1966
- The Brothers Lionheart / Bröderna Lejonhjärta, 1973
- Ronia, the Robber's Daughter / Ronja Rövardotter, 1981
In addition, there is a large number of picture books, plays, songbooks and feature films, of which some are based on these.
