Stian Hole – Enchanted childhood: When details speak

This illustration caused controversy in the US and had to be changed. It shows Garmann peeing and a glipse of the girl’s nickers…

Stian Hole’s art brings back so much of the feeling of my childhood. Endless days, strange encounters and intense details. There is no way I should try to describe it to you. Just try to get hold of his books and share the strange and beautiful moments of a summer in a universe so very much like ours, just that much more vivid and intense in its details. You will find it waiting for you – through the looking glass…

Stian Hole (born 20 March 1969, in Tønsberg, Norway) is a Norwegian graphic designer, illustrator and writer of children’s books.^[1] He has made numerous book covers and five picture books which have gained national and international recognition. His book Garmann’s Summer earned him an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award in 2009.^[2] In 2009 he won the Nordic Children’s Book Prize.^[3]

His illustrations are created from collages and photo montages using Photoshop.

These are his books up to date:

2005: Den gamle mannen og hvalen (The Old Man and the Whale)
2006: Garmanns sommer (Garmann’s Summer)
2008: Garmanns gate (Garmann’s Street)
2010: Garmanns hemmelighet (Garmann’s Secret)
2013: Annas himmel (Anna’s Heaven)

I can’t seem to find a homepage. Just read his books.

Garmann’s Summer: Summer is endless, and Garmann lets you share it with him. Meet the Three Old Ladies, the wicked twins, the ladybugs and the Norwegian woods.

Look at these naughty twins! Up to no good…