Children's Books2009 · Age 6 - 12
Mom and Dad in Heaven
Alf Kjetil Walgermo
Mor og far i himmelen is a unique book; poetic, bold, warm, wise and beautifully composed. A young girl has lost both her parents in a car accident. With a deeply serious subject as a starting point, the book dares to ask fundamental questions, formed as a prayer to God. This is a book about a great sorrow, but also a great faith: in angels, in eternal life, in God. And a book about a child’s religious wonder and doubt. How can God let terrible things happen?
Reviews
A little jewel“This is simply a pretty book (…) Øyvind Torseter cuts, glues, draws and builds his illustrations. Maria, the sorrowful girl we meet, lives in a beautiful world, surrounded by colors (…) The text provides space enough so that also the reader can include his or her own emotions while reading. The language is clean and poetic, and although the book does not provide simple or clear answers, it gives hope (…)”Pernille Bineau, VÅRT LAND
About grief and loss in a Christian universe“Mother and Father in Heaven always keep the child’s perspective – and there is something liberating about the child’s way of relating to the world, grief and God (…) The illustrations have a childish, simple and naive line, which fits well with the child’s perspective in the text. They contribute to Mother and Father in Heaven being a beautiful, contrasting book about God, death, sorrow and loss, but equally important: about friendship, fellowship and comfort.”Hilde Dybvik, BARNEBOKKRITIKK.NO
Emotive and beautiful about death“The book is beautiful, both in text, image and layout. The author addresses major and difficult topics in this book. He does so in an emotive and understanding way. He should be thanked for that. The book can be read in half an hour, but the content stays with the reader for a long time afterwards. At least that was the case with me.”Bård Hauge, DAGENMAGAZINET
“The text is thoughtful, with the intention of asking the difficult questions: Why do we say that someone has an guardian angel? What about those who perish, who cares for them? The tone of the book is characterized by seriousness, wonder and understanding. Torseter’s illustrations are of the same type that he has had great success with in several books in recent years.”Morten Haugen, ADRESSEAVISEN
“It opens (…) for conversations, crying, melancholy smiles, empathy, comfort and confidence. No matter who reads it, actually. It fits just as well as a read-together book, as for self-reading (but with an adult nearby if the child has any questions) (…) You don’t have to be a believer in order to benefit from this beautiful book, as the text draws more questions than it answers. Like life itself does.”Anita Hartviksen Ravn, RANA BLAD
The unimaginable grief“Since the language is so simple and easy, the text opens up well for conversation and reflection. In an impressive way and with few words, the author creates a rich atmosphere, with room for both Winnie the Pooh and existential pain.”May Grethe Lerum, VG (Norway)
"(...) a well-suited read aloud book and a starting point for discussions with children. It is also a good read for grown-ups."LITTERATURAVISEN BOKSTAVER
