Abstract

The magic of sweets, slowly melting away. The long-awaited second installment in the World Sweets series, following "The King's Sweets"!

◆Sadness and anxiety slowly melt away—a heartwarming story woven by a grandfather and his granddaughter, Sarah.
◆Text by Mutsumi Ishii, illustrations by Krimgen, who has lived in Austria for many years. The lyrical text and classical illustrations full of exotic charm resonate with each other, making it a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
◆A story based on "candied violets," a traditional confection of the Austrian royal family in Vienna. The second installment in the World Sweets series, following "The King's Sweets" (text by Mutsumi Ishii, illustrations by Rei Kurahashi).

Since losing her grandmother, Sarah has been very worried about her grandfather, who lives alone. One day, she goes to stay at her grandfather's house. As she picks violets, something strange happens... "Candied Violets," a traditional royal confection beloved by Empress Elisabeth of Vienna, Austria. Mutsumi Ishii and Krimgen beautifully depict loss, memory, and the feelings that are passed down through time.

Author’s Information

Mutsumi Ishii is a writer and translator. Her book "The Beginning of May, Sunday Morning" (Iwasaki Shoten) won the Mainichi Shimbun Little Fairy Tale Award and the Nankichi Niimi Children's Literature Award. Her book "The Plate and the Paper Airplane" (Kodansha) won the Japan Children's Literature Association Award, and her book "Watashi-chan" (Komine Shoten) won the Hirosuke Fairy Tale Award. Her other works include the "Sumire-chan" series (Kaiseisha) and the "Clothing Picture Book" series (Bronze Shinsha), as well as numerous picture books such as "After 100 Years" (Alice-kan) and "The King's Sweets."

Krimgen is a painter and designer. He holds a PhD in Science. He has been working as an illustrator since 2010. After living in the United States and Austria for 11 years, he returned to Japan. Based on what he has seen and experienced, he depicts children, animals and plants, expressing the beauty of the world and humanity. His work is diverse, including holding solo exhibitions, illustrating books, creating and selling original goods, and exhibiting at events around the world. This book is the first picture book published by a publishing company.