Journey into a land of magic and powerful girls in this feminist retelling of Indonesian folktales, lushly reimagined by a debut graphic novelist.
Once upon a time. . . A princess was cursed to live as a snail, Two sisters were trapped by their father’s wrath, And a mother and daughter faced a hungry giant.
No one is coming to save them. Will they get their happily ever after?
In this collection of reimagined Indonesian fairy tales, the girls are the ones with power. The power to fight evil, to protect others, and to grow as people. Because why should girls in folktales always need saving? What if they save themselves instead?
Based on graphic novelist Clar Angkasa’s favorite childhood stories and gorgeously illustrated with a dedicated color palette for each tale, this retelling of “Keong Mas,” “Bawang Merah Bawang Putih,” and “Timun Mas” is filled with spectacular landscapes, deep emotions, and a firm belief in the power of girls’ stories.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
About the Author
Clar (pronounced like Clark but without the 'k') is short for Clarisse (yes, like in The Silence of the Lambs). She was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. An illustrator, animator, and comic artist with a passion for narrative art, she draws inspiration from stories, nature, and wholesome people. Her work has received such honors as the MoCCA Arts Festival Awards of Excellence, an Adobe Awards Top Talent, and more. She is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Praise For…
"A beautiful, powerful addition to the pantheon of feminist folktale reimaginings."—Kirkus Reviews
"A beautiful collection of folktales that succeeds in depicting strengthened female agency while promoting a healthy consideration for others."—School Library Journal "A marvelous example of bringing the old and the new together to create something that contains the best of both worlds. A beautiful potential future for folktales worldwide."—A Fuse #8 Production
"Brimming with spirit, this is a book all about connection and empowerment. Angkasa's gorgeous rendering and vivid storytelling will pull you right in."—Tillie Walden, author of On a Sunbeam
