I liked this book! It's definitely a weird one. I love international children's books because they tend to have such a unique perspective and refreshing tone compared to the American books I read every day. They tend to lean into the weird and gross conversations, and this book is a perfect example. I think kids could really connect with this story because THEY are also weird and gross! Adbage really nails the description and tone in this book, making it feel like it could've been written by the kid in the story. I really enjoyed it!

An excellent picture book in translation! Comp to PEPPER AND ME, this title with resonate with kids and make for a fun storytime and discussion. Will be purchasing a copy of this for my elementary school library.

Thank you to Arctis Books | Arctis, the author and NatGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review

Well, it looks like I'm in the minority here but I personally think this is a sorry excuse for a book, Unfortunately the story is really bad, the drawings are just plain creepy and the cover is appalling. I simply don't have a single good thing to say about it. Apparently the Author/Illustrator Emma AdBåge has won awards for her illustrations 😲 this completely baffles me! I get that the drawings are probably meant to look like children have drawn them to give authenticity to the book, but to me they are just very poor drawings! They are flat, one dimensional and lack any charm whatsoever. As for the story - Boy falls in playground, hurts leg, gets it bandaged and a short time later the scab falls off - Wow...riveting.

In short...should have been zero stars!

#TheWound #NetGalley

This is an interesting little book, with beautiful illustrations. A little child in the school where I work recently cut themselves by accident and it reminded me of this book. The other children were all very interested in what had happened and the child did become like a kind of celebrity because of it, just like the child in this book. The next day, when I checked on them, they were very proud to show me their scab. Even now, months later, it's something that they bring up to remind me. I would love to read this book with them and the other children and discuss the drawings and what they can see going on in the school.

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for a review, opinions and notes.

This book has a very special illustration style and a very strange storyline. Part of me thinks it does a great job of zooming into a specific moment and sharing all of the details of that moment, while another part of me doesn't understand it.

I guess this book could be used as a mentor text for young writers to showcase sharing details of one specific event and writing about that event without going off topic. The event itself in this book is just odd, although very relatable - especially when accompanied with the unusual illustration style.

Kids will relate to the wounded child in this book—the drama and attention surrounding a real (but not terribly serious) injury, and wearing a scab and then a scar like a badge of honor. Childlike illustrations complement the story's voice.

I love reading international children's books. They cover topics I don't see much from American publishers. This one was nostalgic.

I love a bit of earnest catastrophe in a picture book, and this hit the wound right on its scab, so to speak! Lovely first person narration from a dramatic child, endearingly nostalgic images and just enough repetition to feel authentic but not overdone. A true little slice of life. I love it!

I love this book but I cannot exactly explain why. Maybe it is because it reminds me of an accident I had at school when I was in Year 3 that got me in the Principal's room and then the emergency room of the local hospital. And that happened after my English exam and I still had a few exams in the days following that accident.

Anyway, the illustration has a nostalgic charm to it which works even better in reminding me of my past -- a past that many adults will probably have. I somehow think this book might be just as big a hit among adults as it will be among children.

The Wound was an informative story of a young boy who injures himself and all the attention he receives when he is hurt. His injury and pain and scar brings everyone together in his school. They all share in his wound and he revels in the attention and kindness extended to him when he most needs it. While his injury isn't the worst, he surely accepts the nurturing from his peers, teacher, and school caretaker. The illustration was unique and used muted colors that were still attractive and pleasing to the eyes. There was a diverse cast of characters in the tale, which helped keep me engaged with the story and the details of the scenes.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was quite an interesting book seeing how children handle the pain and then the attention of a bloody injury at primary school age. And then how they can handle the difference of healing and what will come afterwards. I think it perfectly depicts the drama and fuss of an injury at that age, especially from the memories I have of classmates of that age getting injured.

PEPPER AND ME has a Swedish cousin... It's THE WOUND by Emma Adbage!

This book employs both an honest accounting of the kids-eye emotions of an everyday playground experience (a wound!), and the brash, exaggerated style of retelling that so many kids enjoy when recounting their tales of woe.

This is a standout picture book in translation for 2025.

Wounds and injuries can be very drastic and special experiences for children.
As an adult, you often remember (I do) the first time you lost a tooth at school or had a minor accident while playing. Measured in adult life, a week with a plaster or bandage is a short time, in the young lives of children it is an eternity in comparison.

In “The most beautiful wound”, the children run wild around the table tennis table in the schoolyard. An improvised game because there are no rackets. The improvised game has strict rules. One child stands on the table and cheers on the others, who chase each other. An almost anarchic scene, as we know it from Emma Adbåge's picture books.

At the climax of this scene, it happens and the nameless narrator bangs off the table. BANG!

After a brief moment of shock and the appropriate treatment of the wound, the injury and the wound become THE topic in the classroom and schoolyard. Although the wound itself hurts, it also brings the young narrator attention and an adventure narrative.

But what happens when the wound gradually heals? The blood becomes a scab and later the scab falls off? It will simply disappear and nothing will prove that something really bad has been overcome.

The only consolation is the hope that a scar - at least a small one - will remain

A great book about childhood fears, worries and confusing feelings about a fading part of identity.

This was such a cute, funny and realistic look at the very serious undertaking of being a kid! I loved the evocative pictures of the kids inventing new games when the ping pong paddles broke, the way everyone is interested in a new development (in this case, the main character's wound), and the attention and drama that kids revel in. This book will be well-loved in primary classrooms, and I highly recommend it for library storytimes. I can't stop smiling after reading this!

I'm not sure I really understood this book! The story is of a boy at school who falls and cuts his knee. Lots of other children (and a pigeon) crowd round, before he is taken inside to have it cleaned up. Everyone wants to see the plaster and the boy gets a lot of attention and special treatment, until, a week later at the pool, his scab comes off in the water and everything goes back to normal. The boy is disappointed to lose his scab and is reassured by hearing that he'll probably have the scar for a long time.

The whole story just felt a bit odd.

I did like the use of colour in the illustrations, which were very muted greys and browns except for splashes of predominantly bright red and green.

The Wound by Emma Adbage is an absolute gem of a picture story book.

Melissa Bowers translation is pitch perfect.

Imagine playing with friends when you fall and cut your leg - there is blood - there is concern and there is care and support.

This is a short tale of one such accident from the pain to the healing

Emma Adbåge’s illustrations are wonderful - quirky but with feeling ..it’s worth looking closely at every page ( especially for the pigeon and the facial reactions ) Teachers sharing this book with a class will be entertained - especially at the staff room scene.

This is an ideal story for 3-7 year olds-exploring the emotions of pain and the recovery. The prose is spot- on and funny as well.

As for the healing process and the scab ..well, no spoilers here- you’ll have to read the book 😊

No wonder this book has won awards 😊😊

Highly recommended