New Swedish Books, autumn 2020 1
25 Autumn 2020 SAD Ah, feelings! We all know – wh
ether we’re young or old – how a relatively small incident can end up becoming a big drama. Lotta Olsson and Emma Adbåge are a true dream team. Their new collaboration sees them creating two picture books about feelings. Sad is released in 2020 and Happy is due to be published in 2021. Sad is set in a nursery where a child The jury: Big emotions for small children. A wonderful text with clever illustrations. Lotta Olsson and Emma Adbåge discovers that another child has taken her beloved cuddly toy. And then the drama begins. The rhythm of the text, the words and the illustrations come together to cleverly depict body language, expressions and movements in both clear and subtle ways. And when it all ends well, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. With their masterly precision, not a superfluous word or pen stroke in sight, Lotta Olsson and Emma Adbåge convey the little girl’s growing despair, as well as the interaction between children and grown-ups. Sad is a picture book to read again and again, no doubt sparking some interesting conversations. It already feels like a classic! Picturebook, 3–6 years, 32 p. Lotta Olsson, Emma Adbåge (ill.) Publisher Rabén & Sjögren Rights Rabén & Sjögren Agency Åsa Bergman asa.bergman@rabensjogren.se Photo: Magnus Liam Karlsson Photo: Richard Gustafsson