Erlbruch wins Swedish award for youth literature

Wolf Erlbruch, German illustrator and picture book author, was on Tuesday announced as the winner of the 2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an international prize for children's and young people's literature.

Best known for his illustrations of "The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business (1994)," which became a great success around the world, Erlbruch has written some ten books of his own and illustrated nearly 50 titles by other authors.

"Erlbruch makes existential questions accessible and manageable for readers of all ages. With humor and warmth deeply rooted in humanist ideals, his work presents the universe on our scale," the jury said in a citation.

Erlbruch's visual style is characterized by strong lines and graphic precision. He often combines different techniques: collage, pencil and chalk drawing, graphic experimentation and water color.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 and is administrated by the Swedish Arts Council. The award will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria in a ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on May 29.