Portuguese Nominees for 2027 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Three Portuguese creators have been named as nominees for the 2027 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), one of the world’s most prestigious honors in children’s and young adult literature. Writer Margarida Fonseca Santos, illustrator António Jorge Gonçalves, and the artistic association Andante are among the 277 candidates vying for the 5 million Swedish kronor (approximately €448,000) prize.
A Landmark Nomination for Margarida Fonseca Santos
This year marks the first time Margarida Fonseca Santos has been nominated for the award. A prolific writer and educator, Santos has published nearly 100 books for readers of all ages. She is widely recognized for her young adult series A escolha é minha (The Choice is Mine) and her recent novel A Chave (The Key), which secured her the 2025 João Gaspar Simões literary prize. Beyond her writing, she is a prominent trainer in creative writing and mental training.
Celebrating Multidisciplinary Talent
Joining her on the list is António Jorge Gonçalves, a versatile artist whose work spans illustration, cartooning, and design. A frequent award-winner, Gonçalves recently received the National Comic Book Prize from Portugal’s Directorate-General for Books, Archives, and Libraries (DGLAB).
The third Portuguese nominee, Andante, is an artistic association dedicated to community outreach. Led by Cristina Paiva and Fernando Ladeira for over 20 years, the group brings literature to life through performances and workshops in diverse settings, including schools, prisons, and public libraries.
A Global Field of Contenders
The 2027 list, released today by the Swedish Arts Council, includes nominees from 74 countries. Notable international figures include Japanese manga creator Eiichiro Oda, British author Julia Donaldson, American reading ambassador Jason Reynolds, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library project. Representing the Lusophone world alongside Portugal are Cape Verdean writer Zaida Sanches and Brazilian authors Roger Mello and Daniel Munduruku.
What is the ALMA Prize?
Established by the Swedish government in 2002 to honor the legacy of Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren, the award recognizes those who make an outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature. The winner of the 2027 prize will be officially announced on April 6, 2027. The current titleholder is Canadian author-illustrator Jon Klassen.
Image: Pexels – Artem Podrez
