Hekla and Laki

Gr 2-4–Drawing inspiration from two of Iceland’s most destructive volcanoes, Belgian author Schneider weaves a tale of unexpected love, loss, and renewal. Hekla, a tiny creature who is “constantly causing small catastrophes,” is found and nurtured by Laki, a gentle, old giant who grows to love Hekla despite the disruption to his “precious routine.” The pair are each other’s only companions through the cycle of many seasons, with Hekla playing outside and exploring the changing landscape while Laki watches patiently through the window of their home. Eventually Laki dies, leaving Hekla to navigate the ever-changing world on his own. Schneider’s prose is simple and poetic, accompanied by vivid illustrations that combine paint, ink, and pastels to show the blend of beauty and brutality in nature. Hekla, depicted in glowing shades of orange, is named for an active stratovolcano. The much older volcano Laki, once destructive but now dormant, is embodied in cool blues and purples. After Laki’s death, Hekla discovers a new landscape that unites the warm and cool hues, and eventually finds creatures like himself beyond the rim of the crater where he has always lived. Hekla and Laki portrays the endless flow of creation and destruction with the feel of a classic folktale. It is an exploration of juxtapositions, with a narrative that is both somber and hopeful, depicting a world that is simultaneously merciless and marvelous.