If you listen to David Almond when he talks about books, his voice sounds well-modulated and friendly. Typically British. But a rough R sound here, the stress on a vowel there, reveals that the 71-year-old writer grew up in the north of England. He once described his childhood there as “much joy” and “much sadness” as he lost both his sister and father at an early age. A lot of joy and a lot of sadness are also appropriate attributes for Almond’s literary oeuvre. His more than 20 children’s and youth books have repeatedly been praised for their poetic yet clear language, serious themes and originality. Almond’s works “Time of the Moon” (1999) or his recently published book “Ein darkerheller Tag” (2021) tell of a sick little sister, of murder, but also of friendship, humor and solidarity. The author and his translator Alexandra Ernst are now receiving the James Krüss Prize for this – in a public event at the International Youth Library.
James Krüss Prize to David Almond, Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m., International Youth Library, Blutenburg Castle. Registration: [email protected] or telephone 8912110