Matthias is twelve years old, and a little different than most children his age- perhaps because everyday life for him and his people is different too. He enjoys school, but he is just as drawn to the work of reindeer herders. When his father gives him a one-year-old reindeer calf as a birthday gift, Matthias's daily life changes forever. What he does not expect is the danger, he and his new companion will soon face a fierce blizzard. Everything Mattias has learned from his father, mother, and uncle suddenly matters- but it is not enough.
Jørgen Ulriksen, Hánsa Anti, Jørgen Ulriksen (ill.)
Jørgen Ulriksen is a Sámi illustrator and contributor to children’s literature, known for his work in stories rooted in Sámi life and environment. He wrote and illustrated Mattias i snøstormen (2025), a children’s novel that follows a young boy navigating reindeer herding traditions and survival during a harsh Arctic storm.
Ulriksen’s visual work brings depth and atmosphere to narratives grounded in Sápmi, supporting storytelling that reflects both everyday life and the close relationship between people, animals, and landscape. Through illustration, he contributes to making Sámi stories accessible and engaging for younger readers, helping to sustain cultural knowledge and lived experience across generations.
