Meet the Judges 2023: Viveka Alvestrand

It’s time for our second Meet the Judges!

Today’s judge will be familiar to many, as she not only co-founded the Prize, but has judged it every year! Viveka Alvestrand is Oscar’s mum and this will be her TENTH year of selecting a shortlist and winner from all of our wonderful entries.

Viveka has kindly answered some questions for us about her own reading experiences – find out more below!

 Thank you, Viveka.

 

 What is your earliest reading memory? 

The excitement of going to the local library with my nursery in Stockholm where I grew up. I loved the calm and the smell of the books!

 

Who is (or was) your all-time favourite person to read picture books with? 

My father has a good reading voice, so I think it would have to be bedtime reading with him.

 

Who or what do you consider to be the best picture book character ever, and why? 

Hmm, that's a toughie. Whichever one I choose I know I am going to kick myself about later as there are so many to choose from! In terms of early sensory reading memories I think I would have to go with Curious George, though. I loved anything with him in it as a child, still do!

 

Oscar's Book Prize celebrates the very best picture books. What sort of stories are you hoping to discover while judging this year's shortlist? 

Wonderfully illustrated stories that transport children and their imaginations to places near and far, stories for them to remember and carry with them as they grow and make sense of the world.

 

About Viveka

Viveka Alvestrand is Oscar’s mother and co-founder of Oscar’s Book Prize. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, she is a self-confessed book worm, and studied Youth & Children’s Literature at Stockholm University before moving to the UK. She works in digital media, and also designs and makes her own line of contemporary jewellery in Surrey.