Australian indigenous literacy group wins Swedish prize

Australia's Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) on Tuesday won a top children's literature prize for its work promoting reading among indigenous children, the jury said.

The ILF was honored with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) for "its innovative work with spreading literature to First Nations children in Australia".

"Their innovative activities, which build on respect, collaboration, and sensitivity, are an inspiration for reading promotion work around the world," Boel Westin, chair of the jury, said in a statement.

The ALMA, which comes with a prize sum of five million kronor ($474,000), was created in 2002 in memory of Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren, most known for creating the mischievous character Pippi Longstocking.

It bills itself as "the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature."

The ILF was created in 2011 to promote reading and literacy among the children of Australia's indigenous communities.

It provides book packs to children and families, with a focus on indigenous authors and illustrators, translates books, and organizes reading activities as well as supports the publication of children's books created in those communities.

"By spreading books and stimulating reading, storytelling, and creativity, Indigenous Literacy Foundation builds the desire to read and fosters pride, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging," the ALMA jury said.

"Every child has a right to their language and their stories."

Three other groups dedicated to promoting reading have been honored with the ALMA in the past: Venezuela's Banco del Libro in 2007, the Palestinian Tamer Institute for Community Education in 2009, and the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa (PRAESA) in 2015.