Norwegian children's books that address taboo topics such as IVF, incest, and death have become bestsellers at home and abroad, reflecting a unique philosophy that nothing is too difficult for young readers. Authors like Anna Fiske, who received death threats for her book 'How Do You Make a Baby?', have found widespread acceptance in Norway despite facing bans in the US and criticism from other countries.
Fiske's book, which includes illustrations of IVF, insemination, and childbirth, has sold over 100,000 copies in Norway and earned her the Honorary Brage award in 2025. She says children absorb adult anxieties and that her own childhood experience with a bipolar father motivated her to write honestly about difficult subjects.
The Norwegian literature agency Norla promotes children's books that 'question, explore and imagine without limits', treating children as independent individuals. At the Lillehammer literature festival, director Marit Borkenhagen says the programme includes books on exclusion, queer identity, and mental health, noting that what adults consider difficult may not be so for children.
Writer and illustrator Svein Nyhus, who co-authored 'Angry Man' about domestic violence and 'The Octopus' about incest, says the only taboo is taking away hope. He believes the key is in the form: using symbols, metaphors, and poetic language to open doors and let light into dark rooms.
The success of these books is underpinned by cultural acceptance and government support, making Norway a leading exporter of children's literature that tackles sensitive topics head-on.
