By Amellia Fowler

UW–Madison’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) has once again been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, recognized as the world’s largest honor for children’s and young adult literature. The CCBC was first nominated in 2024. 

This prestigious, international award is given annually to a person or organization, and comes with a prize of five-million Swedish Kroner (about $513,000).

Housed in the School of Education, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) is a unique and vital gathering place for books, ideas, and expertise in the field of children’s and young adult literature.

“To be nominated a second time for this international accolade is a remarkable honor,” says CCBC Director Tessa Michaelson Schmidt. “The service and outreach model of the CCBC exemplifies the Wisconsin Idea, and to have that recognized on a global scale is humbling.”

Schmidt adds: “From 1963 to today, we continue to stand by our work reading, recommending, and creating access to high-quality diverse books for children and teens through the teachers and librarians in their lives.”

Through its noncirculating collections and services, the CCBC supports teaching, learning, and research related to children’s and young adult literature and provides informational and educational services for preservice and practicing teachers and school and public librarians across Wisconsin. This includes opportunities for hands-on book examination, curated book recommendations, and intellectual freedom information and assistance at the time of materials concerns or challenges.

The CCBC is also known nationally and internationally for its work documenting diversity in the content and among the creators of the review copies it receives each year in its role as a statewide book examination center.

Astrid Lindgren is recognized as being vital in the development of children’s literature as an art form. The influential Swedish writer of children’s books is perhaps most well-known for creating such memorable characters as Pippi Longstocking.

The Swedish government in 2002 created the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award to promote every child’s right to great stories. The Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council.

A total of 277 candidates from 80 countries and regions have been nominated for the 2027 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The list includes authors and illustrators, as well as storytellers and reading promoters. The CCBC is one of just 12 candidates nominated from the United States.

The  2027 award winner will be announced on April 6, 2027.