Stories of the Islands - by Clar Angkasa

About the Book

"A graphic novel collection of girl-centered fantasy stories, based on Indonesian traditional tales"--

Book Synopsis

Journey into a land of magic and powerful girls in this feminist graphic novel retelling of three Indonesian folktales.

"Brimming with spirit, this is a book all about connection and empowerment. Angkasa's gorgeous rendering and vivid storytelling will pull you right in."--Tillie Walden, author of On a Sunbeam

Once upon a time. . . a princess was cursed to live as a snail, two sisters were trapped by their father's wrath, and a mother and daughter faced a hungry giant.

No one is coming to save them. Will they get their happily ever after?

In this collection of reimagined Indonesian fairy tales, the girls are the ones with power. The power to fight evil, to protect others, and to grow as people. Because why should girls in folktales always need saving? What if they save themselves instead?

Based on graphic novelist Clar Angkasa's favorite childhood stories and gorgeously illustrated with a dedicated color palette for each tale, this retelling of "Keong Mas," "Bawang Merah Bawang Putih," and "Timun Mas" is filled with spectacular landscapes, deep emotions, and a firm belief in the power of girls' stories.

A Rise: A Feminist Book Project Honoree
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids pick!
Named to the Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
Named to the Lone Star Reading List
On ALA's Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List

Review Quotes

★ "Angkasa skillfully breathes new life into these narratives, providing a fresh look from the perspective of the female characters. . . . While targeted at a middle-grade audience, older readers who love folktales will also cherish these old stories presented in fresh, dynamic new ways."--Booklist, Starred Review

★ "Expressive art transports readers through the rolling waves, flowing rivers, and lush forests that make up the seventeen thousand Indonesian islands."--The Horn Book, Starred Review

★ "In illustrating her feminist versions, Angkasa, who was born and raised in Jakarta, pays visual homage to her Javanese cultural history by, for example, garbing her characters in sarongs and selendangs."--Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"This inspiring trio of stories encourages readers to look with a mindful eye at folk or fairy tales that they may have heard for years to see whose story is actually being told and ponder what the tale would look like from an entirely different perspective."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Innovative paneling offers complexity to the storytelling, and eye-catching patterns add cultural specificity to sometimes formulaic tales."--Publishers Weekly

"A beautiful, powerful addition to the pantheon of feminist folktale reimaginings."--Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful collection of folktales that succeeds in depicting strengthened female agency while promoting a healthy consideration for others."--School Library Journal

"A marvelous example of bringing the old and the new together to create something that contains the best of both worlds. A beautiful potential future for folktales worldwide."--A Fuse #8 Production

"Brimming with spirit, this is a book all about connection and empowerment. Angkasa's gorgeous rendering and vivid storytelling will pull you right in."--Tillie Walden, author of On a Sunbeam

About the Author

Clar (pronounced like Clark but without the 'k') is short for Clarisse (yes, like in The Silence of the Lambs). She was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. An illustrator, animator, and comic artist with a passion for narrative art, she draws inspiration from stories, nature, and wholesome people. Her work has received such honors as the MoCCA Arts Festival Awards of Excellence, an Adobe Awards Top Talent, and more. She is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.