New Swedish Books, spring 2017 1
41 Spring 2017 The House that came to Life A blac
k cloud of rain hangs above a lonely, dilapidated house by a muddy field. The drawing immediately sets the atmosphere. Inside there’s old man Larsson, who lost his spirit a long time ago. The kids have gone, his wife died, and nothing is fun anymore. But suddenly the doorbell rings. It’s a boy from next-door standing there and he needs Larsson to help him. Could Larsson possibly take care of the boy’s seed that’s just been planted? Martin Widmark and Emilia Dziubak’s evocative story is about memories, grief, loneliness and the importance of feeling needed. Even an old miserable man can get a seed to grow, and in the process grow himself. “ The kids have gone, his wife died, and nothing is fun anymore” Martin Widmark (text) b. 1961 Emilia Dziubak (ill) The House that came to Life Publisher Bonnier Carlsen info@bonniercarlsen.se www.bonniercarlsen.se Rights Bonnier Rights mathilde.coffy@bonnierrights.se Martin Widmark Selected Works Lasse-Majas detektivbyrå. Modemysteriet, illustrated by Helena Willis (Bonnier Carlsen 2016) Chapter book Nelly Rapp och de små under jorden, illustrated by Christina Alvner (Bonnier Carlsen 2016) Chapter book Halvdan viking. Munkens löfte, illustrated by Mats Vänehem (Bonnier Carlsen 2016) Chapter book Literary Prizes (selection) Bokjuryns prize 9 years running (2004-2012) Emilia Dziubak Polish illustrator Photo: Thron Ullberg Photo: Piotr Dziubak