The 21^st Munhakdongne Children’s Literature Award Winner

Meet the world’s most unlikely pairing: the very last white boulder rhinoceros on earth and a young penguin born under his care.

At the time, we didn't realize it, but it truly was a miracle. From head to toe, we were different. But we only had each other.

Imagine being the last rhinoceros left on this planet. Losing all your near and dear ones, carrying the weight of being the last one standing with every last drop of your strength. What would go through your mind if you were heading towards the sea, an expanse you have never seen before, to find safety for your beloved little penguin, and fulfill an old friend's final request?

This book shares the story of the last white boulder rhinoceros on Earth and a young penguin, born from an abandoned egg, who spend countless long nights together on their journey to find the sea. It's about how, even on the bumpiest of paths, they find the strength to steady themselves and walk again, even if their steps wobble at times. They light up the darkest and longest of nights, showing willpower, love, and solidarity that shine bright like stars, reflected even in the murkiest of puddles.

The overwhelming power of a good story

Having spent countless long nights together, it was only natural that we were one, we were us.

A few years ago, we were all deeply moved and prompted to reflect on ourselves when news channels flashed images of 'Sudan', the last male northern white boulder rhinoceros on Earth, on television. What kind of life had Sudan led until then? What moments did he witness with those weary eyes, and what all did he endure? If we trace back through Sudan's lifetime, what might we encounter?

The Longest Nights begins with the story of Sudan. It received acclaim for its "overwhelming emotional power", "profound questions about the meaning of life and the solemnity of the process of answering it", and "beautifully depicting the image of a rhinoceros on the brink of extinction and a penguin who refuses to give up even in the most extreme conditions". Along with "Lane 5", it won the Grand Prize at the 21st Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award.

In this book, we meet Norden, a rhinoceros raised among elephants, and a young penguin, born from an abandoned egg. Norden must live, not only for himself but also for the loved ones who never had the chance to live their lives out in this world. The young penguin too must live, out of sheer determination and instinct for survival. These two beings, different in every way from head to toe, come together as one, as 'us.' and journey through the long, long night toward the blue horizon, the sea. Their journey will stay with me, help me in the darkest of times, for a long time to come.

"Do you see the horizon over there? Shimmering in green. This is my sea."

"I like it here too. I want to stay here."

"But you're a penguin. Penguins have to find the sea."

"Then I'll live as a rhinoceros. Look at my beak. It looks just like a rhino's, doesn't it?"

"You're already a splendid rhinoceros. So now, all that's left is for you to become a splendid penguin. Come here. I'll hold you. And I'll tell you stories. All through tonight. You must find the blue horizon, find the sea, meet your friends, and pass on our story." (From The Longest Nights)

An insignificant yet grand friendship filled with love.

I will become a white boulder rhinoceros. And live by your side, Norden.

In the world of elephants, if one cannot see, one can lean on an elephant that can. If one's legs are weak, one can lean on an elephant with strong legs. In this world without prejudice, where even the lack of a trunk is not an issue, Norden lived a full life as a dignified elephant. However, when the time came to choose his own future, Norden, with the elephants’ support, ventured out into the world to become his other self, a rhinoceros.

"Just as we were blessed to meet you, someone out there in the world will be very happy and very blessed to meet you."

The world outside was more joyful than Norden had imagined, but it was also filled with immense pain. From the elephant orphanage to the wild, from the wild to the zoo, from the zoo back to the roads, there were those by Norden's side who shared the same sights, were drenched by the same raindrops, and melted long cold nights together, breathing, walking, living. His wife who affectionately called the inexperienced Norden, trying to survive in the wild, a 'quirky but special rhinoceros'; Angavu, who taught him how to endure the long nights without nightmares; and Chiku, who enabled him to face each morning untroubled by his nightly terrors. Thanks to them, Norden’s inner strength grew, and he raised the young penguin, whose egg was his whole world, in a love that was robust and stronger than any eggshells. Even if they could not fully understand each other, and even if they were destined for different places, the fact that they will always be there for each other provides comfort to the readers of this book.

“Everything was a miracle. Wimbo and Chiku embracing the abandoned egg, Wimbo protecting the egg with his entire body during the war, Chiku meeting Norden and escaping the zoo, Chiku cradling the egg until his very last breath, and Norden witnessing his last moments— all of these could only be described as miracles.” (From the text of The Longest Nights)

"You're already a splendid rhinoceros. So now, all that's left is for you to become a splendid penguin.”

“A story for all the children trudging through muddy puddles where stars come to shine.”

The expedition Norden the rhinoceros and the young penguin set upon to find the blue horizon is also a journey to find answers to questions like who they are, and what it is that makes them and lends them their dignity. Eating, sleeping, walking... in the harshness of this world, where nothing comes easy, the young penguin stands tall and dignified, possible only because of Norden’s love, who shared everything he had, even with those he does not know. We come to believe from our heart that due to the long nights the penguin spent with Norden, because of Norden’s care and love which shine brightly in the rhino’s eyes, forever engraved in the first memories of the young penguin, we know that the penguin will boldly jump into the ocean, endure more long nights, and find his very own shining star in the skies of a long night.

The Longest Nights not only contains love, solidarity, and the importance of dignity in life but also encouragement for children who pass through one world and step into another. It offers comfort by saying that it's okay even if you don't have a name- you don’t have to prove yourself, or if you don't have a long trunk- you are enough as you are. Even if you are imperfect and not extraordinary, it consoles you by saying that you have done your utmost, and makes you realize that countless miracles have accomplished the miracle called 'me', and it gives us the courage to face the expansive ocean that is this world.

"Will the other penguins like me? Will they recognize me as Norden did?" "Of course. At first, they might observe you out of curiosity. But gradually, they will come to like you, pay close attention to you, get to know what you smell like when you're near, and even listen out for the sounds you make when you walk. That's who you are." - From the text.

The subtlest of tremors beget the greatest of waves.

This heart-stirring piece of art is the work of author and artist Luly, who in 2020 was awarded both the Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award for The Longest Nights and the Golden Goblin Award from BIR for They Couldn’t Go to Bremen.

The power created by the amalgamation of art and words is striking. The bold shift in angles and deep emotional imprints breathe life into the narrative, drawing the reader into the story. The illustrative epilogue captures the sceneries that would have made the rhinoceros Norden stop in his tracks and look at the paths he walked on together with those dear to him. The artwork signifies that even if it seems that someone’s time can come to stand still, they are not wholly gone - another life and path continue.

The fleeting beauty of nature, its fertile vitality spreading even on land scorched by fire, resonates with the readers profoundly.

May our longest night not be lonely. Even if it seems that all that is left is pitch darkness, may our stories continue to give us comfort and company. May this story be a small part of that journey. -Words from the author.