A Children’s Book About Danish 
Sculptor: Sonja Ferlov Mancoba

Project Description

With this project, I have designed and illustrated a children’s book that introduces the life and work of Danish sculptor Sonja Ferlov Mancoba (1911 – 1984) to a young audience (4 – 8 years). Through a narrative writing style and a combination of illustrations and archival material, my aim is to inspire curiosity towards art history. Accompanying the protagonist, Mio, the children are invited on a journey into the art historical archives, where they encounter Sonja Ferlov Mancoba’s artworks, along with important episodes from her life story. The book is intended to be part of a series where children learn about various artists from Danish art history.

The focus for this project has been around making the first book in the series, which sheds light on a female artist who has been left out of the spotlight until recently, despite her great quality of work. Sonja Ferlov Mancoba created semi-abstract, organic, and poetic sculptures inspired by global cultures. Her artworks invite interpretation through their relation between shape and title, and her life story includes fascinating anecdotes that are reflected in her artworks. This altogether is presented in the children's book and is an invitation for the audience to learn about what art can be and do.

Exposing children to artistic expressions and encouraging creativity in areas such as painting, music, literature, and film has been shown in studies to positively impact their empathy, social skills, and self-awareness. Art experiences expand one’s worldview and offer a more nuanced perspective.