Hare and Ruru
Hare and Ruru is the story of Hare, who struggles with an un-named mental malady self described as ‘noise’. Noise could be runaway thoughts, voices in Hare’s head, or loud feelings and general anxiety. Hare goes on a journey to try and find a solution. Just when Hare thinks there’s no hope a friend, Ruru, flies calmly down and gives a suggestion.
Hare ultimately feels better after doing three things:
- Talking to someone
- Focusing on breathing
- Connecting to nature
This gentle story is for anybody who suffers from noises, anxiety or loud feelings
FINALIST in the 2021 New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
- Written and illustrated by Laura Shallcrass
- Hardcover book
- 36 pages
- ISBN: 978-0-9951180-5-8
Laura Shallcrass is an artist and writer based in Queenstown, New Zealand. Laura was born in Wellington where she trained as an illustrator and graphic designer, before traveling the world and eventually settling in Queenstown. Flora and fauna feature heavily in her work, alongside gemstones and minerals hovering, dreamlike, against scenes ethereal and yet familiar. Laura paints in oils and gouache and draws in ink and graphite, creating sparse and yet detail focused works of infinite depth and stillness.