A while ago I wrote about how there are no stories for girls. Stories for a younger audience involve teenagers, older characters than ones their own age. It may seem that TV has caught up with a flurry of shows featuring a younger cast or have a boy(s) at the centre. Film is lagging behind with offerings every so often with stories like ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ but these are few and far between, which is why my inner child was very excited to see a new show appear on Netflix called Hilda.
Hilda lives in the forest with her graphic designer mum in a house her grandfather built. She is a friend to all creatures, likes to sketch and go on adventures with her deer-fox, Twig. After moving to Trollberg city, Hilda joins the Sparrow Scouts makes friends with the ultra organised Frida and sometimes scaredy-cat David. It's a simple concept with mountains worth of potential.
Hilda is a primary school aged adventurer who loves the wilderness and is always out exploring with her friends. The trailer was delightful, fun and had the promise of creatures from Scandinavian and British folklore and myth. It’s been ages since I’ve seen a show that fantastically animated, encouraging outdoor excursions as well including scenes in libraries! Libraries!
Throughout the series there is no sign of the internet, no iPads, no kids’s stuck to their phones. The show is not explicitly set in a particular time so I’m not even sure if this is meant to be set before technology took over. But the best thing about this is that the stories and adventures are so enthralling that you don’t realise there’s no technology prominently being used until you’ve finished the whole series! I of course watched the entire series over 2 days, but before I did that, I found the books.
Created by British cartoonist Luke Pearson, Hilda first appeared in graphic novel form. There are currently 5 books (with another on the way next year) and a book based on Pearson’s work, written by Stephen Davies. The books explore mainly Scandinavian folklore and folktales, featuring creatures we all know such as trolls, forest giants and elves to ones less known, such as Maras, Salt Lions and Vittra.
Just like to point out that this picture shows our heroine in a similar pose to another adventurer and reporter from Brussels. You should know I'm a huge fan of Tinin (comics, TV show, films, the whole shabang) and this is partly why I was so excited to discover the show and books.
As soon as I saw the trailer, I went in search of the books. One by one I was absorbed into the world of Hilda and co. The art from each book changes slightly but is always so beautifully created and the story no less thrilling. I have literally told everyone I can about this amazing series that is for children AND adults alike. It encourages children to explore and be more adventurous, go outside and have fun. For adults, its for their inner child and just for the fun aspect of the whole series.
So get your hot coco and curl up with the comics or watch the show. Appreciate the cosiness because Hilda is here to stay, with more books on the way AND a second series of the show coming to Netflix.