Levstik Award


The Levstik Award is a literary award in Slovenia awarded for achievements in children's literature. It has been bestowed since 1949 by the Mladinska Knjiga Publishing House, making it the first literary award established by a Slovene publishing house after the Second World War. It includes a prize for original works of literature, original illustrations, and non-fiction books for children. Up until 1989 it was awarded annually. Since then it has been awarded biannually. In the prize category for books only books published by the Mladinska Knjiga Publishing House are eligible for entry, but since 1999 the award for lifetime achievements in children's literature is the most prestigious award of its kind in Slovenia. The award is named after the 19th century Slovene writer, political activist and playwright Fran Levstik who also wrote works for children.

Levstik Award laureates

YearAward for Lifetime Achievement in writingAward for Lifetime Achievement in illustration
2013Neža MaurerDanijel Demšar
2011Svetlana MakarovičKostja Gatnik
2009Polonca KovačMatjaž Schmidt
2007Niko GrafenauerMarjan Manček
2005Dane ZajcJelka Reichman
2003Tone PavčekMarjanca Jemec Božič
2001Kajetan KovičAnčka Gošnik Godec
1999Kristina BrenkMarlenka Stupica

YearAward for Best Original Work of LiteratureOriginal TitleTitle in English
2013Barbara SimonitiMočvirnikiMarsh Creatures
2011Majda KorenMici iz 2. aMici from Class 2A
2009Andrej Rozman - Roza100 + 1 uganka100 + 1 Riddles
2007Anja ŠtefanKotiček na koncu svetaThe Little Corner at the End of the World
2005Desa MuckAnicaAnica
2003Mojca OsojnikHiša, ki bi rada imela sonceThe House That Wanted to Be in the Sun
2001Anja ŠtefanMelje, melje, mlinčekGrind, Grind, Little Mill
1999Andrej Rozman - RozaČrvive pesmiWormy Poems
1997Dim ZupanLeteči mačkiFlying Cats
1995Neli KodričLov na zvezdeHunting for Stars
1993Vida Jeraj HribarVečerna sonataEvening Sonata
1991Lojze KrakarPrišel je levThe Lion Came
1989Marija VojskovičHiša številka 15House No. 15
1988Miroslav KošutaNa Krasu je krasnoThe Karst is Awesome
1987Niko GrafenauerMajhnicaThe Diminutive
1986Mate DolencMorska dežela na železniški postajiThe Land of Sea at the Railway Station
1985Kajetan KovičPajacek in punčkaThe Clown and the Little Girl
1984Vida BrestMajhen človek na veliki potiLittle Man on a Long Road
1983Vitomil ZupanPotovanje v tisočera mestaTravels to Myriad Towns
1982Tone PartljičHotel sem prijeti sonceI Wanted to Grasp the Sun
1981Branko HofmanRingo StarRingo Star
1980Niko GrafenauerNebotičniki, sediteSkyscrapers, Be Seated
1979Leopold SuhodolčanPiko Dinozaver and other booksPiko the Dinosaur
1979Saša VegriMama pravi, da v očkovi glaviMum Says that in Dad's Head
1978Slavko PreglGeniji v kratkih hlačahGeniuses in Shorts
1977Dane ZajcAbecedarijaAlphabetary
1976Jože SnojAvtomoto mravlje and Pesmi za punčkeAutomotive Ants and Poems for Girls
1975Svetlana MakarovičKam, kam, kosovirja?, Kosovirja na leteči žlici and Pekarna MišmašWhere to, Kosovirs?, The Kosovirs on the Flying Spoon and The Mishmash Bakery
1974Ferdo GodinaSezidala si bova hišicoWe Shall Build Ourselves a House
1973Svetlana MakarovičMiška spiThe Little Mouse Sleeps
1972Kristina BrenkDeklica Delfina in lisica ZvitorepkaThe Girl Delphine and the Cunning Fox
1971Lojze ZupancZlato pod BlegošemGοld Under Mount Blegoš
1971Janez BitencCiciban pojeCiciban Sings
1970France ForstneričSrakačThe Magpie
1970Jože ŠmitKako bomo umiraliHow We Shall be Dying
1969Jože SnojBarabakos in kosiBarabablack and the Blackbirds
1969Ivo ZormanV tem mesecu se osipa makThe Month the Poppy Blossoms Scatter
1968Smiljan RozmanReporter Tejč poročaTejč the Reporter Reports
1967Anton IngoličGimnazijkaHigh-School Girl
1966Jože Ciuha Potovanje v deseto deželoVoyage To the Tenth Land
1966Branka JurcaVohljači in prepovedane skrivnostiThe Snoopers and the Forbidden Secrets
1965Leopold SuhodolčanVelikan in PajacThe Giant and the Clown
1964France AvčinKjer tišina šepetaWhere the Silence Whispers
1963Kajetan KovičFranca izpod klancaFranca from Under the Hill
1963Breda SmolnikarOtročki, življenje teče daljeChildren, Life Goes On
1962Lojze KrakarSonce v knjigiThe Sun in a Book
1961Tone PavčekVelesenzacijaMegasensation
1961Vid PečjakDrejček in trije MarsovčkiAndy and the Three Martians
1960Branka JurcaOkoli in okoliRound and Round
1960Janez KajzerMimo dnevnega načrtaBeyond the Daily Plan
1959Frane Milčinski - JežekZvezdica ZaspankaThe Sleepy Little Star
1958Anton IngoličTajno društvo PGCThe Secret Society PGC
1958Tone PavčekJuri-Muri v AfrikiJuri-Muri in Africa
1957Lojze ZupancPovodni mož v SavinjiThe River Merman of the Savinja
1956Miško KranjecČarni nasmehEnchanting Smile
1956Ela PerociTisočkratlepaThousandtimeslovely
1955Ela PerociMoj dežnik je lahko balonMy Umbrella Can Be a Balloon
1955Josip RibičičRdeča pestRed Fist
1955Tone SeliškarPosadka brez ladjeCrew Without a Ship
1954Ivan BratkoTeleskopTelescope
1953Fran Saleški FinžgarIz mladih dniFrom the Days of My Youth
1953Miško KranjecImel sem jih radI Liked Them
1951France BevkMali upornikThe Young Rebel
1950Pavel GoliaSneguljčicaSnow White
1949France BevkTončekTony
1949Prežihov VorancSolziceLillies of the Valley
1949Josip RibičičTinče in BinčeTinče and Binče
1949Tone SeliškarMuleThe Mules

YearAward for Best Original IllustrationOriginal TitleTitle in English
2013Peter ŠkerlMočvirnikiMarsh Creatures
2011Damijan StepančičZgodba o sidruThe Story of the Anchor
2009Svjetlan Junaković100 + 1 uganka100 + 1 Riddles
2007Alenka SottlerPepelkaCinderella
2005Suzana BriceljMala nočna torta s plameniA Small Night Cake With Flames
2003Damijan StepančičLeteči krožnik na našem vrtuA Flying Saucer in Our Garden
2001Lila PrapMale živali and Živalske uspavankeSmall Animals and Animal Lullabies
1999Zvonko ČohEnci benci na kamencichildren's folk limericks
1997Jelka Godec SchmidtBisernica: slovenske kratke pripovedi za otrokeBisernica: Traditional Short Stories for Children
1993Wang HuiqinBrokatna podobaImage in Brocade
1991Dušan MucKronika ljubezenskih pripetljajevA Chronicle of Amorous Incidents
1989Miroslav ŠuputBegavka po valovihShe Who Runs on the Waves
1988Zvonko ČohRačka Puhačka and Rastoče težave Jadrana KrtaThe Fluffy Duckling and The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
1987Dušan PetričićGuliver med pritlikavciGulliver in Lilliput
1986Andrej TrobentarWaitapu and Pavji rep in druge kitajske basniWaitapu and The Peacock's Tail and Other Chinese Fables
1985Marija Lucija StupicaPastirica in dimnikarThe Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep
1984Danijel DemšarKuža Luža and Mama žaba in žabčki and KužmuckePuddles the Dog and Mother Frog and Froggies and Puppykittens
1983Marija Lucija StupicaLeteči kovček and Regica in SkokicaThe Flying Trunk and Frog and Toad
1982Kostja GatnikMrzla reka and Nove prigode profesorja ModrinjakaCold River and The New Adventures of Professor Branestawm
1981Kamila VolčanšekKralj DrozgobradKing Thrushbeard
1980Marjanca Jemec BožičKo Nina spi and Deževen dan je krasen dan and othersWhen Nina Sleeps and A Rainy Day is a Wonderful Day
1979Jelka ReichmanCepecepetavčekCepecepetavček
1978Marjan AmaliettiNetočka Nezvanova and UlenspiegelNetochka Nezvanova and Ulenspiegel
1977Marjan MančekKozlovska sodba v Višnji goriThe Goat Trial in Višnja Gora
1976Ivan Seljak - ČopičAfriške pripovedke and Robinson CrusoeAfrican Tales and Robinson Crusoe
1975Milan BizovičarAbecedarijaAlphabetary
1974Milan BizovičarMožiček med dimnikiA Man Amidst the Chimneys
1973Marija Lucija StupicaKraljična na zrnu grahaThe Princess and the Pea
1972Božo KosRodiš se samo enkratYou Are Only Born Once
1971Ive ŠubicKos rženega kruhaA Slice of Rye Bread
1970Marlenka StupicaKrojaček Hlaček and Številke and Babica v cirkusuTrooser The Tailor and Numbers and Grandma at the Circus
1969Lidija OstercLaponske pripovedi and Strašni lovec Bumbum and Očala tete BajavajeTales from Lapland and Bumbum the Terrifying Hunter and Aunt Bajavaja's Specs
1969Ive ŠubicMladost v džungliYouth in the Jungle
1968Božo KosVeliki in mali kapitan and Kavboj Pipec in Rdeča pesaCaptain Big and Captain Little and Pipec the Cowboy and Red Beat
1967Milan BizovičarSolzice and Salomonovi rudnikiLillies of the Valley and King Solomon's Mines
1967Jože Ciuha and Ive ŠubicJugoslavijaYugoslavia
1966Jože CiuhaGospod Baroda in druge ljudske pesmiMr Baroda and Other Traditional Songs
1966Aco MavecOtok zakladovTreasure Island
1966Lidija OstercLonček, kuhaj! and SneguljčicaThe Magic Porridge Pot and Snow White
1965Jože CiuhaPomlad ob Soči and Deček Jarbol and Nina na CeylonuSpring by the River Soča and The Boy Jarbol and Nina in Ceylon
1965Melita VovkBasni and Puhek v Benetkah and Pustov godFables and Puhek in Venice and Pust's Birthday
1964Ančka Gošnik GodecZa lahko noč and O treh grahih and Zlata pticaFor Goodnight and About Three Peas and The Golden Bird
1964Lidija OstercHišica iz kockHouse of Building Blocks
1964Savo SovreNemška vadnica za 5. in 6. razred osnovne šoleGerman Exercise Book for 5th and 6th Class of Primary School
1964Tone ŽnidaršičNauk o človeku za 7. razred osnovnih šolOn the Human Body for 7th Class of Primary School
1963Štefan PlanincPesmi za otrokeSongs for Children
1963Ivan Seljak - ČopičAska in volkAska and the Wolf
1962Milan BizovičarZgodbe iz mesta Rič-RačTales from Rič-Rač Town
1962Cita PotokarLizike za vseLollipops for All
1961Roža PiščanecMedenjakova hišicaMedenjak's House
1960Ančka Gošnik GodecPtičke so odletele and Deček in gozd and VileThe Birds Have Flown Away and The Boy and the Forrest and Fairies
1960Marlenka StupicaOstržekPinocchio
1959Štefan PlanincSinička nas je obiskala and Prvi ljudje na Mesecu and KarkažuThe Bluetit Visited Us and The First Men in the Moon and Carcajou
1959Marij PregeljStarec in morjeThe Old Man and the Sea
1959Nikolaj OmersaSkrivnostni jezdec and Pisani svet and Pogumni kapitaniThe Mysterious Rider and Colourful World and Captains Courageous
1959Marlenka StupicaPastirThe Shepherd
1959Štefan PlanincTajno društvo PGC and Živali v ukrivljenem zrcaluThe PGC Secret Society and Animals in a Curved Mirror
1958Milan BizovičarMaghellanovo potovanje okoli svetaMagellan's Journey Around the World
1957Marij PregeljBeli očnjakWhite Fang
1957Melita VovkZgode in nezgode kraljevskega dvoraTales and Mishaps of the Royal Court
1956France Mihelič Štirje letni časiThe Four Seasons
1956Maksim SedejPotovanje v tisočera mesta and PastirčekTravels to a Thousand Towns and The Little Shepheard Boy
1955Nikolaj OmersaZajčkov zvončekBunny's Bell
1955Ivan Seljak - ČopičKnjiga o Titu and Posadka brez ladjeThe Book About Tito and The Crew Without a Ship
1954Jože CiuhaCekinThe Coin
1954Roža PiščanecHeidiHeidi
1954Maksim SedejRacko in LijaRacko and Lija
1954Marlenka StupicaTrnuljčicaSleeping Beauty
1953Evgen SajovicSnežna kraljica in druge pravljiceThe Snow Queen and other stories
1953Maksim SedejTisoč in ena nočOne Thousand and One Nights
1952Boris KobeVisoška kronikaThe Visoko Chronicles
1952Rado KrošeljBarčicaThe Little Boat
1952France MiheličPestrnaThe Child Minder
1952Marlenka StupicaMehurčkiBubbles
1952Janez VidicLetni časiThe Seasons
1951Gvido BirollaTrije bratje in trije razbojnikiThree Brothers and Three Robbers
1951France MiheličNajdihojcaNajdihojca
1951Slavko PengovPod svobodnim soncemUnder A Free Sun
1951Dušan PetričKaj je videl Mižek FigaWhat Mižek Figa Saw
1951Ive ŠubicKralj Matjaž reši svojo nevestoKing Matjaž Saves his Bride
1951Janez VidicŽivalske pripovedkeAnimal Tales
1950Tone KraljPravljica o carjeviču JeruslanuThe Story of Prince Jeruslan
1950Nikolaj OmersaZgodbe o živalihStories about Animals
1950Marlenka StupicaNa KrasuOn The Carst
1950Janez VidicPremagane zverineDefeated Beasts
1949Maksim GaspariČuri-Muri velikanThe Monster Cockroach
1949France Mihelič SolziceLillies of the Valley
1949Marij PregeljOtroška letaMy Childhood Years
1949France PodrekarButalciDumbville
1949Ive ŠubicNejčekNejček

YearAward for Best Non-fiction Book for ChildrenOriginal TitleTitle in English
1997Viljenka JalovecStavnicaAlphabet and Picture Bets
1993Samo KuščerEnergijaEnergy
1991Aleksander KonjajevNejc in drobnoživkeNejc and Tiny Bugs
1989Janez StrnadIz take so snovi kot sanjeFrom the Stuff of Dreams
1988Manca KoširMladi novinarThe Young Journalist
1988Alenka GoljevščekMed bogovi in demoni: liki iz slovenske mitologijeAmongst Gods and Daemons: Figures from Slovene Mythology
1987Samo KuščerLogo in računalnikLogo and Computers
1986Jana MilčinskiLukec dobi sestricoLukec Gets a Sister
1985Tita Kovač ArtemisKemiki skozi stoletjaChemists Through the Centuries
1984Aleksander KonjajevNevidni živi svetThe Invisible Living World
1983Matjaž SchmidtNejčev prvi leksikonNejc's First Dictionary
1982Berta GolobŽive besedeLiving Words
1981Pavel Kunaver Pravljica in resnica o zvezdahThe Story and Truth About the Stars
1980Marijan ProsenUtrinki iz astronomijeFlashes from Astronomy
1979Marija MakarovičKmečka abeceda and Kmečko gospodarstvo na SlovenskemThe Farmer's Alphabet and Farm Management in Slovenia
1978Zoran JerinHimalaja, rad te imamHimalayas, I Love You
1977Jože PahorDogodivščine v atomskem inštitutuAt the Atomic Institute
1976Rajko PavlovecKrasThe Karst
1975Kazimir TarmanZakaj, zato v ekologijiQuestions and Answers in Ecology
1974Miran OgrinOd Kalifornije do Ognjene zemljeFrom California to the Land of Fire
1972Slavko KremenšekSlovensko študentovsko gibanje 1919–1941The Slovene Student Movement 1919 – 1941
1971Luc MenašeEvropski umetnostnozgodovinski leksikonEuropean Art Historical Dictionary
1970Jovan HadžiRazvojna pota živalstvaThe Development of Animals
1969Stanko KotnikPo domovih naših pisateljevIn the Homes of Our Writers
1968Janez StaničOnkraj KremljaThe Other Side of the Kremlin
1968Alenka GerlovičLikovni pouk otrokArt Classes for Children
1967France PlaninaJugoslavijaYugoslavia
1965Joško BattestinMikroskop PionirThe Pioneer Microscope
1964Miroslav AdlešičSvet zvoka in glasbeThe World of Sound and Music
1963Ciril CvetkoOpera in njeni mojstriThe Opera and Its Masters
1962Miha LikarVirusi, Bakterije in GliviceViruses, Bacteria and Fungi
1961Anton RamovšZemlja skozi milijone let and Geološki izleti po ljubljanski okoliciEarth Over Millions of Years and Geological Outings Around Ljubljana
1960France KrižaničKrižem po matematiki and Elektronski aritmetični računalnikiAcross Maths and Electronic Calculators
1959Lavo ČermeljZ raketo v vesoljeA Rocket for Space
1958Robert NeubauerCeylonCeylon
1958Dušan SavnikSvet nasprotijA World of Opposites
1957Miroslav AdlešičSvet svetlobe in barvThe World of Light and Colours
1957Miroslav ZeiIz življenja sesalcevThe Lives of Mammals
1956Janez MatjašičIz življenja najmanjšihFrom the Lives of the Smallest
1955Božo ŠkerljNeznana AmerikaUnknown America
1954Božo PetekLetalsko modelarstvoModel Airplanes
1953Lavo ČermeljNikola Tesla in razvoj elektrotehnikeNikola Tesla and the Development of Electrotechins
1952Miroslav AdlešičOd mehanike do elektronikeFrom Mechanics to Electronics
1952Anton PolenecIz življenja pajkovThe Life of Spiders
1952Miroslav ZeiIz ribjega svetaThe World of Fish
1951France KrižaničKratkočasna matematikaMaths for Fun
1951Drago MatanovićPogled v elektrotehnikoA Look at Electrotechnics
1951Vladimir NagličKratke zanimivosti iz pomorstvaInteresting Facts about Seafaring
1951Jože PahorHodil po zemlji sem našiI Walked Our Land
1950Anton PolenecIz življenja žuželkThe Lives of Insects
1949Katja Špurfor her journalistic work