Little Dead Rabbit

Little Dead Rabbit is a book-length poem by Astrid Alben and Zigmunds Lapsa, which is part adult fairy-tale and part concrete poem about a little dead rabbit. Lapsa's handmade designs create an inescapable interplay between text and image, changing and challenging the direction of reading at every page-turn. Albens poems are inventive, bizarre, and dynamic, and go looking for the elastic extremities of language.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: Prototype Publishing Ltd.

During the lockdown of 2020/21, poet Astrid Alben and graphic designer Zigmunds Lapsa collaborated closely on Little Dead Rabbit, a book-length poem that blends elements of adult fairy-tale and concrete poetry, recounting the tale of a small dead rabbit discovered on the side of a road. While the poem may initially appear to be about death, it also serves as a contemplation on healing and joy. Lapsa is renowned for his handcrafted designs, and for this book, he created a series of innovative and abstract die-cuts that seamlessly integrate into and around the gaps and pauses of language. This interplay between text and image creates an unavoidable dynamic, constantly shifting and challenging the reader's perspective with each turn of the page.

Alben's poetry is characterized by its inventiveness, eccentricity, and dynamic nature. Born in the Netherlands but relocating to England at a young age, she has always grappled with the complexities of bilingualism. Simultaneously writing the Dutch version, Klein dood konijn, Alben crafted Little Dead Rabbit. Her other notable works include Ai! Ai! Pianissimo (2011) and Plainspeak (2019).

Little Dead Rabbit is a captivating work for poetry enthusiasts, including young readers, who are intrigued by the interplay between text and image. The poem explores the boundaries of language, challenging conventional notions of storytelling and visual representation. Through its unique blend of genres, Alben invites readers to embark on a poetic journey that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Dimension: 225 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913513283