Hekla and Laki: A Picture Book

(Hardback)

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Description

A comforting poetic picture book about the beauty and brutality of life and death, inspired by two Icelandic volcanoes, from award-winning creator Marine Schneider

Carried in by a strong wind, a tiny creature named Hekla twirls delicately into a crater, falling at the feetand, very suddenly, into the lifeof an old giant named Laki. Each is vastly different from the other: Laki is a solitary being, preferring order and calmness, while Hekla is young, spirited, and messy. But in their newfound state of coexistence, they learn to live together and help each other grow, forging an attachment that binds them in lifeand in death. Inspired by two Icelandic volcanoes, Hekla and Laki is a masterstroke of text and image about the beauty and the brutality of life, the passing of knowledge over time, and the sense of optimism that emerges in death.

Reviews

A visually compelling and emotionally gratifying glimpse at learning how to hold on and let go. * Kirkus, starred review *

"Schneiders refined, atmospheric illustrations present the beauty, power,
and magnificence of Icelandic landscapes in striking wordless spreads . . .Originally published in French, this nuanced translation is full of warmth.

* Booklist *
Achingly beautiful . . . These are dreams drawn from the subconscious, realized by gifted artists, suitable for study by children awake to the surreal and the sublime. -- Dave Eggers * New York Times Book Review *
Via dynamic, ambitious painting and writing, Schneider doesnt just create a myth but also imagines geological-level shifts with crystalline intensity. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *

Author Bio

Marine Schneider is a Belgian author and illustrator, who decided, at age five, that she would grow up to make childrens books. After studying illustration in Ghent and traveling the world, she began her career by illustrating three books for childrens author Elisabeth Helland Larsen. Schneiders most recent work, Hekla et Laki, was awarded the 2022 Pepite dorone of Frances top honors for childrens literatureat the Montreuil Childrens Book Fair. She lives and works in Brussels.