Children's literature approaching life and death En/No

Childrens literature can be a safe place to approach both life, death and grief. 

We can not hide the world away from children, since they are living in the middle of. The literature with its limitless fantasy and visuality might successfully interfare with fear, big emotions and traumas in poetic and colourful ways.

If adults listen to children playing by themselves, it will not take them long to discover that children mention both life and death all the time. But its done in a language and in the height off the children themselves.

Children literature should never be afraid of writing about life and death, but it should be careful with pushing forward taboos established by adults. It´s easy to pass on fears from generation to generation, its more difficulte to approach big themes with wonder, openness and playfulness that might construct bridges off less fear to meet the unknown. The art have the power to open rooms, not close them.

Books mentioned:   

"Jeg er Døden" Magikon forlag 2015. Author: Elisabeth Helland Larsen Illustrator: Marine Schneider.

"Jeg er Livet" Magikon forlag  2016.  Author: Elisabeth Helland Larsen Illustrator: Marine Schneider.

"Jeg er Klovnen"Magikon forlag 2017. Author: Elisabeth Helland Larsen Illustrator: Marine Schneider.

Languages: Norwegian, Swedish, English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Latvian, Korean, Taiwan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Slovak, Persian and Latvian.

"Brødrene Løvehjerte" Rabén og Sjögren 1973. Author Astrid Lindgren. Illustrator:Ilon Wikland.

Languages: More than 70 languages.

"Vi är Lajon!" Natur og Kultur 2019. Author: Jens Mattson. Illustrator: Jenny Lucander.

"Ulf er uvel" Vigmostad & Bjørke 2020. Author: Rebecca Wexelsen. Illustrator: Camilla Kuhn.

"Baglænsk" Jensen & Dalgaard 2019. Author and illustrator: Anna Jacobina Jacobsen.

"The Fault in Our Stars" Dutton Books  2012. Author: John Green.