Our warmest congratulations to Linda Bondestam, Malin Kivelä, and Martin Glaz Serup as their joint venture If you Meet a Bear (Om du möter en björn) was nominated for Sweden’s most prestigious literature prize.
Today the nominees for the prestigious August Prize were revealed at a ceremony at Södra Teatern in Stockholm and we are so proud and happy to announce that IF YOU MEET A BEAR (Om du möter en Björn) is among the six nominees for best Swedish children’s book of the year.
Quote from the jury’s motivation:
“With an exquisite picture rhythm, a quirky humorous warning story is presented, where a child wanders out into the wild and clashes with a bear.[…]The proportions are monumental as the bear roars and the forest is drawn. […] Combined with Linda Bondestam’s illustration, Malin Kivelä’s and Martin Glaz Serup’s text skilfully challenges our view of the wild, and of ourselves.”
This quirky field guide with a playful tone is created by the celebrated Nordic trio, authors Malin Kivelä, Martin Glaz Serup, and illustrator Linda Bondestam. The book encourages to talk about the relationship between humans and nature and offers various tips on what to keep in mind if you happen to encounter a bear in the forest.
Photo:© Niklas Sandström
Photo:© Mathias Olander
Photo:© Niklas Sandström
The book was published in Swedish by Förlaget M in March 2021 and since its release, it has received praising press reviews:
”This picture book is ingenious and fantastic, and unlike anything else.”
-Göteborgs-Posten
“The result of successful Nordic children’s book collaboration. Danish Martin Glaz Serup and Finnish-Swedish Malin Kivelä and Linda Bondestam are simply a dream team with the will and ability to take children’s literature to the utmost playful seriousness.”
-Hufvudstadsbladet
“The book is educational without pointers, facts are presented fun and factually without beautifying paraphrases and the illustrations are simply incomparable.”
-Österbottens Tidning
“The love of nature bursts in the book, despite the threat that is its topic.”
-Borås Tigning
The August Prize is Sweden’s biggest literature award named after famous Swedish author August Strindberg. The aim of the prize is to reward and highlight the best newly published books in Swedish. The annual prize is awarded in three categories: Best Swedish Fiction Book of the Year, Best Swedish Non-Fiction Book of the Year, and Best Swedish Children’s Book of the Year. The winners will be announced on the 22nd of November at the August Gala.