Das illustrierte Kinderbuch Mondblume und der Sonnenwendtanz nimmt Sie mit auf eine Reise in die Steppen Zentralasiens. Dort beobachtet Mondblume, ein kleines Mädchen eines türkischen Stammes, den Wechsel der Jahreszeiten und wundert sich, warum die warmen, langen und hellen Tage des Sommers allmählich verschwinden und schlie lich von den kalten dunklen Wintertagen abgelöst werden. Um einen gesangartigen Rhythmus zu erzeugen, ist die Geschichte in Versform geschrieben. Dies macht den flie enden Zyklus der Jahreszeiten mit seinen Wellen aus wechselnden Farben, Geräuschen und Stimmungen noch mehr spürbar. Ergänzt durch die ausdrucksstarken und liebevollen Illustrationen der mongolischen Künstlerin Solongo Drini entführt Sie das Buch an einen Ort und in eine Zeit, die beide durch die Kraft der Natur und ihrer Schönheit bestimmt werden. Die Geschichte ist angelehnt an 'Nardugan', einem Ritual zur Wintersonnenwende, das von den türkischen Stämmen Zentralasiens schon seit über tausend Jahren ausgeübt wird. Viele Symbole dieses Rituals gelten als Vorläufer weihnachtlicher Traditionen und werden deshalb von Kindern in der westlichen Welt ebenso verstanden. Dieses Buch ist der erste Teil einer geplanten Serie von Kinderbüchern über frühere Kulturen und ihre Traditionen.
Akyil, Saskia E.: - Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and Colorado, Saskia currently lives in Germany with her husband and three sons, who inspire me with their questions and curiosity. When they were younger, they often asked her why it got dark so early in the winter; the shamanistic explanation of the winter solstice, that night and day are battling each other to prevail over the Earth, is the explanation that made the most sense to them. Previously, Saskia worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for immigrants, refugees, and the Hard of Hearing. She has published academic ESL articles in industry books and journals, and has also published one novel titled Secrets of a Summer Village. This is her first illustrated children's book.
Drini, Solongo: - Solongo was born and raised in Mongolia. After receiving her BFA in Mongolian Traditional Painting, she moved to Atlanta to pursue illustration and received her MFA in Illustration from SCAD Atlanta. Her illustrations are unique and whimsical, inspired by folk tales, myths and imagination with a style that is influenced by both Mongolian and Western culture. She has been working as a freelance illustrator over 10 years illustrating for editorials, advertising, children's books, postcards and textile designs. She also works as a designer of rugs and carpets for a carpet company. She lives with her husband and son in Atlanta, Georgia.
Etterer, Andrea: - Andrea was born, raised and educated in the northern part of Germany. Loving playing with words from the moment of being able to read and write, Andrea turned her hobby into a profession extended by languages. After receiving her degree in technical translation, she moved to the south and started working as technical writer. Now living with a son and daughter and a busy husband in the outskirts of Munich, she tries to juggle family and working life as well as her creative power, spending some of my free time reading, exercise, cooking, playing the guitar, editing photos and texts, social projects, decorative arts, family and friends.
