Trees masquerading as monsters: Fantastical children's literature from around Europe [Review of "QUEST: Stories of journeys from around Europe from the Aarhus 39 and "ODYSSEY: Stories of journeys from around Europe from the Aarhus 39"]

Abstract

The story goes that kraiks are mythical bird-like creatures who taunt us, creating fear and animosity. They feast on our insecurities and whisper in our ears in moments of self-doubt, telling us we are not wanted, that we are cowards. We know that we should not listen to them, that they are “trees masquerading as monsters”, but sometimes the hateful creatures make our deepest and darkest anxieties sound like the “red-blooded truth” and, in our panic, their lies creep into our hearts.