Saint-Exupéry Youth Award shortlist revealed; Ukrainian publisher among finalists

A children’s book released by the French publisher Le Petit Canard (Little Duck), founded by Ukrainian publisher Natalia Mospan, shortlisted as a finalist for the Saint-Exupéry Youth Award (Prix Saint-Exupéry – Valeurs Jeunesse).

The book, “La Bibliothèque de la Cité” (The City Library), made it to the award final and became one of four titles shortlisted in the Album category. (“Albums” is a French term meaning “picture story books.”)

“For me, this is more than just a professional event. It’s a moment when a small independent French publishing house becomes part of a cultural dialogue. That inspires me to keep going. I’m happy that this book is traveling and finding its readers,” Mospan wrote on her Facebook page.

The author is Lotie Blanca, and illustrations were created by Ukrainian artist and art director Alina Kolesnik.

“Salome has always been a curious reserved girl,” reads the book’s annotation. “When she was a child, she would hide in a little hut beneath the olive tree and read magazines and comic books her father bought. Books allowed her to escape reality. When asked about her future profession, she said without hesitation: ‘I want to spend all my days among books!’”

Among other titles shortlisted in the Album category are:

• “Le Bateau de papier” (The Paper Boat) by Bernard Villiot
• “Le Cadeau sauvage” (The Wild Gift) by Jean-François Chabas
• “La Chanson de l’Ouest” (The Song of the West) by Lionel Tarchala 

The winner will be announced in November 2025.

Since 1987, the Saint-Exupéry Award has recognized books that youngsters love and that love youth: albums and French novels and the Francophonie selection. Faithful to its values​​, it rewards youth literature that extols the qualities of daring, courage, solidarity, and wisdom, qualities that were dear to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The  adult committee chooses a selection of the best album, best novel, and best French work (future selection), and a jury of children attribute the final prizes.

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Copy editing: Joy Tataryn