Published Children's Book

Selected images from 'Ellens mor har skæve øjne' - a Danish children's book written by Maria Eun Elkjær and illustrated by Rikke Lydeking

'Ellens mor har skæve øjne', which translates to 'Ellen's mother has almond-shaped eyes', is a beautifully crafted children's book, written by Maria Eun Elkjær, a woman adopted from Korea by Danish parents. For Maria Eun, the book serves as a heartfelt tool for her own children to understand their mother’s unique heritage. Maria has woven a tale for young readers that highlights the beauty in diversity and the importance of embracing differences. The book is illustrated by Rikke Lydeking, an artist with over 13 years of experience as a painter and illustrator. Rikke takes pride in her friendship with the author and pours her creativity into bringing Maria's story to life.

In this fictional narrative, we meet Ellen, a young girl whose mother, like Maria, was adopted from Korea, while her father is Danish with big blue eyes. As Ellen embarks on a school project about her family tree, she searches for pictures of her mom, dad, baby brother, and grandparents to share with her classmates. Through this journey, the book touches on themes of language, understanding, and the significance of words; it aims to help children learn that some words can cause hurt, emphasizing kindness and respect in communication. Overall, this book is not just a story but a bridge to understanding, acceptance, and love.