The Wound

From the "Mo Willems of Sweden," award-winning author/illustrator Emma Adbage captures a funny and true-to-life story about a little boy who hurts himself at school and is suddenly thrust into the spotlight

Awarded Best Swedish Picture Book of 2022

For readers of The Day You Begin and A Letter to Amy, The Wound similarly captures the humor and emotional growth that comes during common childhood experiences and their impact on a boy's sense of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance.

Feel the rush of the game as you dash around the ping-pong table, laughter and shouts filling the air. Your heart races. Then, a sudden stumble sends you tumbling down, and the world pauses—a sharp pain, a bloody knee. For a moment, for a week, you're the center of attention. You bask in a warm glow of sympathy and curiosity from your peers. But as days pass and the wound heals, the whispers fade and the crowd shrinks.

But what happens when life returns to normal? The fleeting spotlight, once thrilling, leaves you wondering about who you'll be once the bandage comes off ...

International picture book star Emma AdBåge is a master at capturing life on a schoolyard: the games, friends, and group dynamics. The Wound, honored as the Best Swedish Picture Book of 2022, is now available in English for the first time.