Philip Pullman awarded the JM Barrie Award

Sir Philip Pullman CBE, author of 'His Dark Materials' , just recieved the 2019 JM Barrie Award.
The JM Barrie awards is an annual award given by Action for Children's Arts, a charity in the UK which has several projects for promoting arts in the lives of children.
According to Action for Children's Arts, the J.M.Barrie Award is given "to a children's arts practitioner or organisation in recognition of a lifetime’s achievement in delighting children.In the view of ACA Trustees, their work will stand the test of time."
This year they chose Sir Phillip Pullman, adding that he is a patron and long-time supporter of ACA’s campaigning work.
When the charity celebrated its twentieth anniversary last year, Sir Philip said, “Children deserve the best of everything; the best opportunities, the best education, the best food, the best stories and poems, the best music, the best theatre. In fact, they’d need the best even if they didn’t deserve it. Action for Children’s Arts is a very good way indeed of seeing that they get it, and I’m very glad to support its work”.
Vicky Ireland, chair of Action for Children’s Arts, told The Bookseller, “The Trustees selected Sir Philip Pullman as the winner of the ACA J M Barrie Award 2019, for his outstanding talent as a storyteller who appeals to all ages, especially to the young. We consider him a magical, magnificent spinner of yarns, who for many years has pulled his readers and audiences in by the power of his imagination to explore realms of wonder and adventure.
“Children need help to think and feel, to grow strong in their convictions, to empathise and to love. Stories can do this, and Philip Pullman’s stories go a great way in inspiring his readers to test their emotions and develop their imaginations in the most marvelous way possible. What better way to recognise and celebrate this lovely man’s talent, than with a lifetime accolade.”
Pullman tweeted that he "couldn't be more proud and pleased" in response to his victory when it was announced.

Pullman was given the award by two young fans on 7th November at a ceremony at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. He said winning the prize was like, " joining a special club of people from across the arts," as reported by the Bookseller
Vicky Ireland, chair of Action for Children’s Arts, said at the ceremony, "Philip Pullman’s stories go a great way in inspiring his readers to test their emotions and develop their imaginations in the most marvellous way possible. What better way to recognise and celebrate this lovely man’s talent, than with a lifetime accolade."