New Swedish Books, spring 2017 1
New Swedish Books 40 Tove Pierrou (text) b. 1980
Marika Maijala (ill) Honey Milk for Three Publisher Natur & Kultur info@nok.se www.nok.se Rights Koja agency carin.bacho@kojaagency.com Tove Pierrou Works Småkrypsboll, illustrated by Joanna Hellgren (Natur & Kultur 2015) Picture book Literary Prizes ‘Snöbollen’, 2015 Marika Maijala Finnish illustrator Honey Milk for Three Kaja sits in the kitchen and watches how her friend Kotte crosses the garden en route to Carmen. No one rings Kaja’s doorbell. Because Kotte and Carmen are going to play with their rabbits, and Kaja hasn’t got a rabbit. There’s only a lone poster of a rabbit on her wall. And with one of those you won’t get very far in the battle for friendships. Through text and imagery a dilemma, that will be familiar to many, is told – how is it possible for three people to play without one feeling left out? The rivalry between Kaja, Carmen and Kotte creates an atmosphere that could be cut with a knife. Each line is rehearsed, each step is taken nervously. Kaja approaches the rabbit game nervously. “I also have a pet”, she hears herself say, just because the silence is so deafening. “Or… it lives in the field.” And Kotte looks at Carmen, who looks at Kaja, who glances nervously towards the field and the animal that might, just might be the thing that will connect the three friends together. Tove Pierrou and Marika Maijala utilise the little things in their depiction of a friendship. It’s all unspoken thoughts, nervous glances and frowns that are slowly turned upside down. Honey Milk for Three is a playful but thrilling piece of relationship drama on a small scale. Photo: Benjamin Assouad Photo: José Figueroa