Vida Vil Ikke Ha Noen Hest (Vida Does Not Want a Horse) is a children's book written by Rebekka Irene Skjæveland and illustrated by me.
The story is based on a real child who, despite being offered all sorts of wonderful things, simply doesn't want any of them. Not even a horse. It's a funny premise, but also one that quietly explores contentment, family, and the idea that happiness doesn't always come from getting more.
This was the first book project for both Rebekka and me. While she was based in Norway and I was living in Australia, we worked closely together throughout the process, developing the illustrations alongside the story as it took shape.
My role was to bring Rebekka's words into the visual world of the book. It was an opportunity to build a cast of characters, create the settings they inhabited, and help shape the personality of the story through illustration.