New Swedish Books, autumn 2019 1
27 Autumn 2019 Malin Eriksson (text) b. 1979 Mia
Nilsson (ill.) b. 1978 The Rabbit Leap Chapter book, 6–9 years, 106 p. Publisher Opal Bokförlag www.opal.se Rights Opal Anja Eriksson anja@opal.se Malin Eriksson Selected Works Rakt mot hindret!, novel, 2016 Hästen på Vinga, novel, 2019 Mia Nilsson Selected Works The series about ‘Hugo’ picture books, 2013–2019 The series about ‘Crises’ chapter books, 2010–2012 The Rabbit Leap The Rabbit Leap’s first-person narrator is a small child describing both little and large problems, happening simultaneously and with equal intensity. The narrator’s sister is seriously ill. This really troubles him, but then he also thinks about those annoying cousins he has to spend time with at his Grandpa’s in the country. His saviour turns out to be a rabbit, rescuing him both from the worries and the cousins who demand that he, Alwin, joins them playing table tennis. But it is also them who ask the difficult question – will his sister die? Grandpa tries to smooth things over, telling them that he’s sure it will be all right. The children demand the truth, but the grown ups want to conceal it. Alwin fully understands that he’s at Grandpa’s house in the country because his sister is unwell. He understands the power of the white lie and uses it correspondingly to calm the adults by pretending that he enjoys spending time at Grandpa’s. Using a first-person narrator who is a young child is not easy. Yet, Malin Eriksson skilfully captures his voice. It is easy to imagine that it is Alwin talking and easy to become engaged in his story. And in his sister’s fate. Photo: Danne Eriksson Photo: Ulrica Zwener