Author(s): Sara Lundberg

Sophisticated Picture | Thinking & Feeling | Sweden | Art | Read our reviews! | Book Island Books

Berta is a young girl with an artistic soul growing up on a farm in the Swedish countryside at the beginning of the 20th century. Her father doesn't understand her and her mother is dying. But Berta longs to be an artist and can't stay on the farm forever.Based on the life of Swedish artist Berta Hansson, this is the story of a young woman with the bravery to live her own truth and follow her own path, despite the protests of her father and society at the time.A universal story of longing and imagination, the perfect refrain for a young rebel.AWARDS FOR THE SWEDISH EDITIONWinner of the August Prize 2017The Snowball Award (Sweden): Best Swedish picture book of the year (2017)White Ravens Award: White Raven 2018 / Internationale Jugendbibliothek, MünchenWinner of Svensk Bokkonst 2017 (Swedish Book Design 2017)

STELLA'S REVIEW:
If you are a lover of illustration and wonderful children’s books, this should be in your collection. The Bird Within Me, from the excellent children’s book publisher Book Island, is a beautiful story — tender and thoughtful. Based on the life of Swedish artist Berta Hansson, it recalls her childhood growing up in a rural village, her love of nature, and her dream to be an artist. Berta feels different from her sisters, from others in the village (apart from her uncle, who she sees as a magician — others call him 'the theatrical farmer') and dreams of escape. “Well, if I was a bird, I could fly off. Away from our village. To something else. To a place where I could be myself. Where no one calls for me all the time or thinks I am ridiculous.” As we get to know Berta, Sara Lundberg's illustrations take us between reality and dream. Sometimes we are confronted with the rigours of school and family portrayed in detailed drawings or collaged paintings, while on the next spread we may be taken away into Berta’s world of trees, birds shaped out of blue clay, and internal perspectives beautifully expressed in a quiet and evocative style. 1920s farming life was hard, and harder still for Berta and her siblings with their mother suffering from tuberculosis. This disease lies under the fragile heart of Berta’s childhood. It causes suffering, fear and grief, and is a constant interloper in the family’s life. For Berta, her relationship with her mother is tender and sad — yet it is her mother’s appreciation of the small sculptures by her side and the drawings that hug her walls that keep this young girl’s talent alive. There are pivotal moments that change Berta’s fate of working on the farm and becoming a housewife: the doctor who recognises her talent; her uncle and his own paintings in the room that to Berta smells safe; and the pot of food deliberately left to burn — a small defiance, one which makes her father recognise the need to allow Berta to spread her wings. Or. at least, continue her education. Sara Lundberg has drawn on the paintings, letters and diaries of the artist to articulate this loving portrait of a twelve-year-old on the cusp of life and the passion for art that will shape her life. A tender and exquisitely illustrated book about following your dreams. 

The August Prize jury's motivation:
"What does it mean to “follow you dreams”? What kind of sacrifice, work and pain does it imply? In The Bird Within Flies Wherever It Wants, Sara Lundberg has interpreted and reflected on the artist Berta Hansson’s (1910-1994) striking and unique life story. The result is a beautiful, vital children’s book about art and life, which inspires readers to dare to follow their own bird wherever they want."

The CILIP jury's motivation:

“The book provides an intense visual experiences and provides readers with shifting perspectives on Berta, her life and her often conflicting sense of priorities concerning her mother’s deteriorating health and her own burgeoning interest in art. The way the story draws upon different artistic styles and media is effective and adds to the wide-reaching nature of the story. The emotion captured within the pictures is stunning and there’s a sense of unfulfilled longing which captures some of the sadness and grief. The format of the book almost feels like an artist’s sketchbook itself adding to the intimacy of the story. A feast for the eyes.”

"The Bird Within Flies Wherever It Wants is a perfect refrain for a young rebel. (...) The greater story is about following one's heart. To follow when the bird within oneself wants to fly wild." Gunilla Brodej, Expressen

"The Bird Within Flies Wherever It Wants is a piece of (women’s) history for the youngest, but executed in a fashion of high artistic originality – never preachy or stilted. The illustrations are incredibly beautiful, I would like to frame every one of them and hang on the wall. The language is poetic and lovely, and full of implicit sorrow and longing. […] This is children’s literature at its finest." Ida Therén, ETC (23/8 2017).

"Sara Lundberg’s illustrations: there are no words […] an extraordinary beautiful book in every way: cover, title, binding and content." Prickiga Paula (27/8 2017)

"(...) This book shouldn't be missed, by neither children nor adults (...) A double art experience is offered here - in addition to the finest class illustrations, the beautiful edition is no less than an artist's biography of the most congenial kind." Västerbottens-Kuriren

"It’s not merely a book to be read, it’s a story to live and breathe and to hold on to. I think it’s a stunning book. Absolutely beautiful!" Alison King, Five BooksAwards
Winner of the August Prize 2017
Winner of the Snowboll Prize for Best Swedish Children Book 2018
100 Outstanding Picture Books Selection (dPictus)
Nominated for the Nordic Council Literary Prize
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2021
White Ravens selection

Lundberg uses paintings and words to tell the story of Swedish artist Berta Hansson's childhood on a provincial farm in the early twentieth century, her discovery of the vital importance to her of art, and her determination to live her own life regardless of others' expectations. 
>>Look inside the book. 
>>On making the illustrations. 
>>An interview with Lundberg.
>>"An artist begins their journey to maturity when they have to deal with loss." 
>>Berta Hansson. 
>>The book in published in English by Book Island.