Text: Mikołaj Pasiński
Illustrations: Gosia Herba
5+
48 pages
Hardcover
26,5 x 32 cm
(HarperCollins Kids)
Rights sold: English world, Chinese simplified, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, Turkish, Greek, Portugese (Brazil)
Illustrations were chosen to be a part of the Illustrators Exhibition 2021 during Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Finalist of BIBF Ananas Illustration Awards 2021
Finalist of the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition 2021
Child-friendly World distinction 2022 by Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights
The Yellow Shoe Award for the best book for children and youth, funded by the Mayor of the City of Krakow, and awarded by the Krakow Library
White Ravens 2022
Van Dog, a painter, rides to the countryside to paint a landscape. Early in the morning, he puts up an easel in a meadow, mixes paints, and quietly contemplates the scenery. Meanwhile, grassland slowly comes to life. A snail nibbles on a mushroom for breakfast, ants gather to work, children play soccer, and a giant lizard monster sets off on a journey to Tokyo.
A lot is going on in the meadow: sheep gnaw the grass, people always hurry somewhere, and aliens study the terrestrial species of plants and animals. As the day progresses, the area becomes busier and busier. A musical parade of creatures appears out of nowhere, and a long queue sets up when an ice cream cart arrives. A huge, dove-hearted monkey looks for her friend but gets preoccupied with a beautiful sunset.
Amid all these events, the determined artist struggles to finish his picture. Is he overwhelmed by all this chaos? Or perhaps the richness of meadow life is precisely the subject of his art?
“Van Dog” combines the features of a picture book with seek-and-find and comic. It is a thought-provoking story touching on the philosophy of art without being direct about the topic.
„A wacky, immersive picture book about artistic inspiration… A busy book with a heart for art.”
―Kirkus
“Robots, vampires, giant lizards, and every color of the rainbow populate the playful illustrations of this delightful book.“ Starred Review―Foreword
„This wonderfully silly read will tickle readers with its details and unexpected twists.”―Booklist
