Shields

Brigitte Sorrentino & Marina Montero

What do a medieval knight, a curling armadillo, and a walnut shell have in common? In their own ways, they all rely on protection to face the world: a shell, an armor, a shield.

This beautifully illustrated picture book, halfway between popular science and philosophical reflection, explores the universal need for safety, revealing how every kind of “armor” hides a vital and surprising function – one that serves far more than just fighting. From the bony plates of ancient dinosaurs to the moulting that insects need in order to grow; from a walnut shell that becomes nourishing soil for the earth to a turtle’s shell that serves as a home and helps regulate temperature; and even the invisible armor we wear to protect ourselves from emotional blows, our character armor. A book that shows young readers that being strong doesn’t mean having no fears, but knowing when it’s time to curl up like an armadillo, or when it’s time to show your rings of growth to the world.

Marina Montero is a visual artist, illustrator and graphic designer living and working in Zaragoza, Spain. After graduating with a Fine Art degree at the University of Zaragoza she earned a Design Master’s Degree with a generalist approach at the Complutense University of Madrid. She received the Special Mention at the 2023 Serpa Awards and the APIM 2023 Award in the New Talent category.