Hans Christian Andersen Award Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0407

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominees, 1990 collection encompasses the required biographical and bibliographic material submitted for Authors and Illustrators in consideration of the Award.

The majority of nominated authors and illustrators contain a short biography and a bibliography of submitted works. In addition, there are photographs, magazines, press clippings, correspondence, translated written works, and book reviews. As well, there is a cassette tape for Michio Mado, the Japanese Author nominee, which includes the audio version of a selection of his written poems.

There is a small amount of correspondence between the IBBY jury members and secretariat, as well as the president. These correspondences concern candidate withdrawals and jury information.

Dates

Creation: 1990

Creator

International Board on Books for Young People. (Organization)

Language of Materials

Includes materials written in English, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, French, German, Norwegian, Czech, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Greek, Italian, Finnish, and Chinese.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to a living author and illustrator whose works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. Frequently referred to as the “Little Nobel Prize,” the first Author’s Award was presented in 1956, followed by the Illustrator’s Award in 1966. The Award is presented biennially.

Selection criteria for Award nominees includes: the aesthetic and literary qualities of writing and illustrating; the ability to see things from the child’s point of view; and the ability to stretch the child’s curiosity and imagination. Nominations are made by the National Sections of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and take the complete works of the author and illustrator into consideration. A distinguished international jury of children's literature specialists selects the Award winners, who receive a gold medal and diploma during the biennial IBBY Congress.