The award went to Mate Dolenc for his "Mali princ z otoka" (Little Prince from the Island), a charming story about an old fisherman explaining complex things to a child.

The story takes place on one of the islands in the Adriatic Sea, where locals, all wise and patient people, live according to the rhythm of nature.

Every summer a boy named Sičič spends his holiday with old seaman Sič and gets to know the entire town.

The judging panel said that the language uses by Dolec, 69, author of many children's books, is very vivid and authentic.

Last year the award went to Vinko Möderndorfer for his coming-of-age novel "Kot v filmu" (Like in a Film).