Children’s and Youth Literature

Desetnica Award

The Desetnica is an award for children’s and youth literature, presented by the Association of Slovenian Writers to recognize the promotion of original children’s and youth literature both within the Association and in the wider public.
The award aims to achieve broader recognition and acceptance of children’s and youth literature within the professional organization, literary critics, and the general public. Original children’s and youth literature has been at a high level for decades and is among the most widely read domestic literature. At the same time, it forms the foundation for developing reading habits and a love of reading. The need for a professional award is fully understandable, as it represents a fundamental step toward equalizing the status of youth literature with adult literature, both within the Association of Slovenian Writers and in the wider public.

The Desetnica Award for the best children’s or youth work in poetry or prose is awarded each year in May for works created over the past three years, exclusively to members of the Association of Slovenian Writers who write in Slovene. The award is given based on a selection prepared by an expert in youth literature, with the final decision made by a five- to seven-member jury composed of children’s and non-children’s authors who are exclusively members of the Association. No jury member may simultaneously compete for the award with their own work.

Recent recipients of the Desetnica Award:

  • 2025 – Andrej E. Skubic, Lahko bi umrl na tem kavču z mano
  • 2024 – Nataša Konc Lorenzutti, Jutri bom siten kot pes
  • 2023 – Andrej Predin, Arlan pod preprogo
  • 2022 – Mateja Gomboc, Balada o drevesu
  • 2021 – Damjan Šinigoj, Kjer veter spi
  • 2020 – Jana Bauer, Ding dong zgodbe
  • 2019 – Andrej Rozman Roza, Pesmi iz galerije
  • 2018 – Aksinja Kermauner, Žiga špaget je za punce magnet
  • 2018 – Suzana Tratnik, Tombola ali življenje!
  • 2017 – Vinko Möderndorfer, Kit na plaži
  • 2016 – Marjana Moškrič, Sanje o belem štrpedu
  • 2015 – Mate Dolenc, Mali princ z otoka
  • 2014 – Vinko Möderndorfer, Kot v filmu
  • 2013 – Janja Vidmar, Kebarie
  • 2012 – Feri Lainšček, Pesmi o Mišku in Belamiški
  • 2011 – Bina Štampe Žmavc, Cesar in roža
  • 2011 – Milan Dekleva, Pesmarica prvih besed
  • 2010 – Dim Zupan, Hektor in male ljubezni: zgodba nekega Hektorja
  • 2009 – Marjana Moškrič, Stvar
  • 2008 – Andrej Rozman Roza, Kako je Oskar postal detektiv
  • 2007 – Bina Štampe Žmavc, Živa hiša
  • 2006 – Janja Vidmar, Zoo
  • 2005 – Slavko Pregl, Usodni telefon
  • 2004 – Mate Dolenc, Leteča ladja

Invite a Word Program

Funded by the Public Agency for Books of the Republic of Slovenia, the Association of Slovenian Writers has been organizing and coordinating the Invite a Word educational program since 1996. The project aims to stimulate interest in Slovene literature among children and youth, targeting readers in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and university students.

All members of the Association participate in the program, with meetings focused on literary activities. In collaboration with schools or libraries, authors introduce children to literature, their works, and the creative process.

Young readers can actively participate through games, interpretations, or other creative forms. Meetings are intended to be as imaginative and dynamic as possible, including discussions, interactive workshops, and the use of audiovisual media, movement, and music.

The Association funds one author’s visit per institution—kindergarten, school, student dormitory, or library—per calendar year, and each author may perform up to three times per year. Travel expenses and fees for participating authors are covered.

We wish you many inspiring and engaging encounters with our writers!

Anthology of Contemporary Slovenian Children’s and Youth Literature

With the support of the Public Agency for Books, the Association has published a printed and e-anthology of contemporary Slovenian children’s and youth literature in Slovene, aimed at educators, librarians, parents, and other interested audiences as a guide to promoting high-quality literature. Edited by prof. dr. Dragica Haramija, it includes 54 award-winning Slovenian authors who have shaped children’s and youth literature over the last fifty years.

Bee Curious. Slovenia’s Best for Young Readers 2023

The Association also published an English-language promotional anthology of contemporary Slovenian children’s and youth literature to introduce foreign publishers to Slovenian authors, illustrators, and publishers and support the sale of translation rights abroad. Edited by prof. dr. Dragica Haramija, it includes 49 Slovenian authors for different age groups.

Literary Meetings for Children and Youth

The Section for Youth Literature of the Association of Slovenian Writers, established in 2004, aims to promote Slovenian children’s and youth literature in Slovenia, abroad, and in border regions. In cooperation with top authors for children and youth, the Section organizes literary performances and interactive meetings, participates in literary events at home and abroad, promotes reading culture, engages in public discussions on cultural issues, and advocates for children’s and youth literature.

The Section collaborates successfully with the Slovenian IBBY section, MKL, Pionirska – Center for Youth Literature and Librarianship, Reading Society of Slovenia, Društvo Bralna Značka Slovenije – ZPMS, Maribor Library, Otrok in knjiga magazine, and other organizations in the field of youth culture and literature.