Growing up isn’t easy. Especially when you get old enough to be away from your mum and dad. There’s a lot to gain and a lot to lose. And it’s kind of sad. This is what Lara discovers when she travels with her parents to a tropical island where they are working as volcanologists. While they climb the volcano to do their research, Lara has to stay put with her babysitter – an older, local woman who can’t speak a word of Norwegian. Lara sneaks out one night to find her parents, but loses her way. Luckily, a huge monster shows up who is also looking for his mother!

Jill Moursund has written and illustrated a wonderful story about growing up and the first tiny yet very difficult steps towards independence.

‘The illustrations are beautiful and clever, put together as a hand-painted collage and with colours that change from dark to light and delicate. I particularly like the atmospheric night pictures: the dark forest with the strange animals and starry sky that has exciting, almost luminous details.’
MAGIFABRIKKEN.NO