This award has been established by the Swedish government to promote children's and young people's literature around the world.

It is the largest children's and young people's literary award with an annual international prize of SEK 5 million awarded to authors, illustrators and promoters of reading.

The prize is administered by the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs and the 2005 winner will be announced in March 2005.

For more information visit the award website www.alma.se