Astrid Lindgren

Shaun Tan ist ein virtuoser und plastischer Erzähler, ein Wegbereiter für die neuen Möglichkeiten von Bilderbüchern. Seine Bildwelten stellen einen eigenen Kosmos dar, in dem nichts selbstverständlich ist und alles möglich scheint. Als feste Referenzpunkte dienen ihm seine Kindheits- und Jugenderinnerungen. Seine Bildergeschichten sind hingegen universeller Natur und richten sich generationsübergreifend an alle Menschen.

Hinter einer Fülle minutiös ausgearbeiteter Bilder, hinter Zivilisationskritik und Geschichte in symbolischer Gestaltung verbirgt sich stets eine spürbare Wärme. Stets geht es ihm um den Menschen. Shaun Tan gestaltet sowohl die Suche als auch das Außenseiterdasein von Menschen. Bei ihm paart sich brillante magische Erzählkunst mit tiefem Humanismus.

“With perseverance, audacity and resourcefulness, the Tamer Institute has, for two decades, stimulated Palestinian children’s and young adults’ love of reading – and their creativity. Under difficult circumstances, the Institute carries out reading promotion of an unusual breadth and versatility. In the spirit of Astrid Lindgren, the Tamer Institute acknowledges the power of words and the strength of books, stories and imagination as important keys to self-esteem, tolerance and the courage to face life.”

“In a true pioneering spirit, with ingenuity and a sheer determination, the Banco del Libro has constantly sought new ways of disseminating books and promoting reading among children in Venezuela. Enthusiasm, professionalism, closeness to the children and a refreshing lack of bureaucracy are the hallmarks of the Banco del Libro’s work, whether in shanty towns, mountain villages, universities or out in cyberspace.”

“Philip Pullman is a master storyteller in a number of genres – from historical novels and fantasy to social realism and highly amusing parodies. With inventiveness, linguistic brilliance and psychological insight he creates and explores his own worlds without losing focus on here and now. Through his strong characters he stands firmly on the side of young people, ruthlessly questioning authority and proclaiming humanism and the power of love whilst maintaining an optimistic belief in the child even in the darkest of situations.”

“Lygia Bojunga dissolves the boundaries between fantasy and reality with all the exhilarating ease of a child at play. In her dramatic and word of mouth-style narratives the reader is always enabled to enter directly into the dreams and fantasies that her principal characters draw on for survival. In a deeply original way she fuses playfulness, poetic beauty and absurd humour with social critique, a love of freedom and a strong empathy with the vulnerable child.”