New Swedish Books, Autumn 2017 1
New Swedish Books 40 The Liopard When it comes to
drawing animals and nature then Björn Bergenholtz is in a league of his own amongst Swedish children’s book illustrators. His animals are always drawn with painstakingly realism, and with such vitality and playfulness that you almost expect cute kittens or baby crows to jump out from the pages for you to pet them for real. Bergenholtz really shines in The Liopard, an impressive and ambitious work set on the savannah. Here a small feline creature prowls around all by itself. The cat is neither stripy like a tiger nor black like the panther, nor is it spotty like the leopard or coloured like the lion, it’s…well yes, what is it? And what does it matter who you are? This is a touching story of being different and of belonging. It begins and ends on a sun-kissed rock on the savannah. In between, it moves at a fast pace, across wide fields, up into aeroplanes, down to press conferences, over to journalists hungry for a scoop, through foliage dark as night, and away from power-hungry hunters. It’s a beautiful tale that brings to mind both Jan Lööf and Jacob Wegelius, and which carries an important message to its readers: the most important thing is to be kind. Björn Bergenholtz (b. 1962) The Liopard Publisher Rabén & Sjögren www.rabensjogren.se Rights Rabén & Sjögren agency asa.bergman@rabensjogren.se lillevi.cederin@rabensjogren.se Selected Works Känn igen 25 fiskar 2011 Non-fiction Känn igen 25 däggdjur 2012 Non-fiction Vilka bilar 2014 Picture book Literary Prizes Carl von Linnéplaketten 2012 Photo: Lars Grönwall