At World Kid Lit I found an exceptional book from Sweden by author/illustrator Sara Lundberg. Fågeln i mig flyger vart den vill tells the story of Berta Hansson, a female artist  well-known in Sweden. It won Sweden’s August Prize in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway award in 2021.

Cover illustration for Fågeln i mig flyger vart den vill
by Sara Lundberg. Published by Bokförlaget Mirando, 
Stockholm, Sweden.

B.J. Epstein translated it into two English versions: the UK title is The Bird Within Me, published by Book Island; the North American edition, published by House of Anansi Press, reads The Bird in Me Flies.

What’s so special about this book? For one thing, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The full-color art throughout its 120 pages is beautifully evocative and sometimes stunning. It’s a stellar example of picture books for older readers, not only because of the artwork but because the text is so engaging and skillfully integrated with the art. Every spread has a full-page painting; many are double-paged. The words nestle within all these images, immersing us, the readers, in Berta’s world. (Note: the images below do not include the text.)

Berta's father, sisters, and brother don't understand
her need to create art.

The art is exceptionally well-attuned to the details of the story. Though described in cataloging as “biographical fiction,” it’s based on Berta Hansson’s diaries, letters, and paintings, with a biographical afterword by journalist Alexandra Sundqvist. Written in first-person free verse, each sentence is concise and necessary. The spareness of the text heightens the emotional impact of the story about a young farm girl in rural Sweden early in the 20th century. Times are hard, the chores are endless, and Berta’s mother suffers from incurable tuberculosis.

Berta makes art for her mother, who is ill in bed with tuberculosis,
with hopes of helping Mama heal.

Still Berta yearns to make art, both for herself and in hopes of helping to heal her mother, who supports Berta’s artistry.Her father, however, insists she is needed on the farm, especially after her beloved mother’s death.

Berta retreats to the forest for solace.

This story of Berta’s struggle against grief and social expectations to pursue her calling as an artist is a poignant and inspirational tale aimed at middle grade readers. It’s also an example of splendid book-making, well worth reading at any age.