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Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
A comforting and sensitive picture book addressing a family’s grief after a miscarriage.
That Night Came Winter tells the story of a big brother whose long‐awaited little sibling never makes it home after birth. This beautiful picture book addresses a difficult subject at a child’s level, leaving an impression of comfort at the continuation of life.
The picture book, told from the point of view of the big brother, deals with the death of a baby and explores how grief transforms a family. Mallius’ light and warm illustrations and Isoaro’s sensitive text, in tune with a child’s mindset, do not shy away from grief, but they also show how everyday life goes on.
Both the author and the illustrator have been personally touched by the grief of losing a child. They wanted to make a picture book on the subject, to bring comfort to families, especially children, facing the same situation.
‘In a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage. Miscarriage remains a taboo subject, despite how common it is. It is important that we adequately support families during this time.’ — Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex/The Guardian
‘Grief does not pass by quickly. The child’s desire to protect his par-ents is highlighted in a heart-breaking scene where the boy gives his mom a ‘pram-alert’ whenever he spots a baby pram nearby during an outing.’ — Lastenkirjahylly Literary Blog
English full translation set in lay-out
Finnish edition
40 pp., 3+