Four Ukrainian writers were nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The list was posted on the official website. This award was founded by the government of Switzerland, and it is considered to be one of the most significant awards within children’s literature.
In times of a full-scale war, where Ukraine continues to defend its freedom and cultural identity, recognition of Ukrainian voices on the international stage carries a profound importance. Participation in the global literary ALMA is a strong evidence of the fact that despite living amid destruction, constant bombing and Russian strikes against Ukraine, our writers still proceed to proclaim their presence on the world map and transmit the humanism just like the Astrid Lindgren did.
Overall, 263 nominees from 74 different countries are presented on the list. Ukrainian nominees are Ivan Andrusiak, Sashko Dermanskyi, Andriy Kokotiukha, and Halyna Vdovychenko.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial is a Swedish prize for achievements in children’s and youth literature, established by the Swedish Government in 2002. The main goal is to promote global interest in children’s literature and make it more accessible. The annual award carries a prize of 5 million SEK (about $513,000). Writers, illustrators, librarians, or organisations worldwide can be laureates, regardless of the nationality or language, as long as their works reflect Astrid Lindgren’s humanistic values. In 2025, Sashko Dermanskyi was nominated for the fifth time, while Ivan Andrusiak and Halyna Vdovychenko appeared on the long lists for 2024 and 2025. The winner of the award will be announced in 2026 on the April 14th.
Ivan Andrusiak-a Ukrainian poet and an author of children’s books, literary critic, and a translator. In the 2000s, he was an active literary critic, paying a detailed attention to the poetry analysis. In 2007 he made his debut in children’s literature with his novel Stefa and her Chakalka (ukr. “Стефа та її Чакалка”). He’s also the author of poems and rhymed tales for preschoolers, for example, The Animal Alphabet ( ukr. “Звіряча абетка”) and The Bunny’s Book (ukr. “Зайчикова книжечка”).
Sashko Dermanskyi-is a Ukrainian children’s writer and a member of the National Writers’ Union of Ukraine. His first book The Lord of Makutsa (ukr. “Володар макуци, або Пригоди вужа Ониська”) was published in 2004 by the publishing house Teza. Some of his works are published under his pen names Sashko Volodarskyi and Nazar Dibrova. His works have been recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for primary and middle school reading. Dermanskyi received a number of literary awards, including The Coronation of the Word and BBC Book of the Year.
Andriy Kokotiukha-a contemporary Ukrainian fiction writer, who is known for his historical detective stories, as well as his adventurous books for children. In 2012, he received the Golden Writer of Ukraine award. Also, he was the representative of Ukraine at the International Festival of Detective Literature in Lyon (France). In 2021, one of his books was included among the 30 most important works of Ukraine’s independence period, and in 2024, the publishing house Urbino published his 100th book Va-Bank in Kharkiv (ukr. “Ва-Банк у Харкові”).
Halyna Vdovychenko-a Ukrainian writer and journalist, and also a member of PEN Ukraine. In 2008, she debuted with her novel Half an Apple (ukr. “Пів яблука”), which sold out within one month. Her second novel The Herburt Castle (ukr. “Замок Гербуртів”) won first prize in the “Coronation of the Word-2009” contest and was later published under the title Tamdevin (ukr. “Тамдевін”). In 2011, her first children’s book Myshko’s Mice (ukr. “Мишкові Миші”) was illustrated by Anna Sarvira, and after published. In 2015 and 2017, two parts of her hugely popular children’s series 36 and 6 Cats (ukr. “36 і 6 котів”) were released.
Source: https://chytomo.com/chotyrokh-ukrainskykh-pysmennykiv-nominuvaly-na-premiiu-astrid-lindgren/
Author: Marta Bernyk