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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
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OLU AND GRETA

Diana Ejaita

The geographical and cultural distance between two cousins is counteracted by the universalities of childhood and the dream of uniting.
Olu lives in Lagos, Nigeria; his cousin, Greta, lives in Milan, Italy. Though their lives may be different, their ways of living and playing are quite similar. They both roller skate; they both skip down the street; they both play with toy trains, trucks, and boats... and they both dream of meeting and being together.

Debut author-illustrator Diana Ejaita references her own childhood and heritage to create a rich, poignant, and authentic portrayal of Nigeria, of Italy, and of the unity of childhood.

Diana Ejaita works as an illustrator and textile designer in Berlin. What sets her illustrations apart is a combination of dramatically contrasting areas of black and white with soft patterns and textures that create images that portray the strength of femininity. Born in Cremona, Italy, her aesthetic pays homage to her lineage. "I am mostly into Central African culture; I love its literature, arts and textile traditions. But as a child of migration and of interracial parents, I am very driven by the issues of colonial/post-colonial effects, racial and gender discrimination, and identity research."
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Book

Published 2022-02-15 by Rise x Penguin Workshop

Comments

A compelling bicontinental story of kinfolk, uniquely illustrated by an artist who's lived the experience.

... eye-catchingly distinctive digital and pencil illustrations. The identical black background palette for both settings serves as a visual representation of the cousins' connectedness, while rich hues and bold textures inspired by the cultures of their respective homelands beautifully explore their activities and backgrounds.

...The lesson of the commonality of childhood experience resonates in this picture book... Viewers will get a visual treat and a reminder that they're not alone across cultures.

Anyone who has lived far from family will connect with the tale of Olu and Greta, two young cousins separated by oceans.... beautiful, highly stylized graphics... Particularly in the age of COVID-19, many young readers will relate to keeping in touch with extended family virtually, and Olu and Greta give a glimpse of what that kind of relationship means over time.

...absorbing picture book debut... A salient reminder that love and connection transcend difference and distance.