The Butterflies of Victor is the product of a profound friendship between two kindred spirits. The book’s author Virginie Kasse and its illustrator, Melissa Sunjaya, met when their children were attending the same school. Each was instantly inspired by the other’s charming spirit and creative pursuits. When the realization came about that they shared the same dream of creating a children’s book, it became clear that this would be a vision they would complete together.

Virginie wrote the book as a love letter to the simple, yet universal, experience of falling in love. When her son came home from kindergarten one day, and declared himself to be in love with a girl from his class, Virginie sought to capture and preserve his childhood sentiment. Photographs and memory books denote only the superficial remnants of one’s experience. Virginie, through her poetic story, summons the feelings her son expressed and superimposes them on the reader’s heart.

Melissa’s delightful illustrations enhance the book’s whimsical and tender nature. Her illustrations are full of symbolism and metaphor. Her stylized heart-shaped butterflies express the notion that love has the ability to initiate a metamorphosis in the soul. The colors Melissa selected for the butterflies too are full of meaning, as they correspond to the 7 chakras. This is the first time Melissa has illustrated a book, but her ability to perfectly enrich the written words is uncanny. Let’s hope Tulisan works its magic with many books to come.

The Butterflies of Victor is a sweet story, enchantingly illustrated and is the perfect gift for someone who makes you feel butterflies in your own heart. Grab a copy of this limited edition book (available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, and French) at www.mytulisan.com or at
Tulisan
Darmawangsa Square – The City Walk
Ground Floor Unit #24
Jl. Darmawangsa VI
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12160
ph. +62 (815) 95 330 95

Words and photos by Melany Zwartjes

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