The 2008 Children’s Literate Award were granted to Steindýrin (“The Stone Animals”), the debut novel from Gunnar Theodór Eggertsson, at a special ceremony in Hlídarskóli elementary school in Reykjavík earlier this week.
The jury concluded that Steindýrin is an extremely exciting and original adventure inspired by folk stories and fairy tales but is also quite unique. Students of Hlídarskóli put on a show for attendees of the ceremony and read chapter from the book.
The ceremony was held in Hlídarskóli, because the idea behind Steindýrin was born while Eggertsson worked in the school’s youth center and told children stories and fairy tales.
The author then wrote the book chapter by chapter and read his work in progress to the schoolchildren. They brainstormed together and used their imaginations to lead the main characters into the world of elves and spirits, and also underground and to different countries.
Eggertsson received ISK 400,000 (USD 3,300, EUR 2,600) with the award.
