By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The best adventures should always take you back home …
‘This book was also born in the quieter moments of my childhood, the ones in which my body was still but my mind and imagination were in beautiful motion… Because decades before I first stepped onto an aeroplane or a ship as an adult, I had already travelled the world.’
– Trevor Noah
Into the Uncut Grass is a gorgeously illustrated and moving modern fable about forgiveness, acceptance, and the secret to solidarity that is suitable for readers of all ages.
There is something magical about the space between rules and rebellion, between the comfort of home and the call of adventure. It’s in this liminal space that Trevor Noah’s enchanting new book, Into the Uncut Grass, finds its heart. Known for his incisive wit and storytelling prowess in Born a Crime, Trevor Noah ventures into new territory with this illustrated fable that speaks to both children and adults, weaving a tale about the delicate dance between growing up and staying connected to those who guide us.
This is the story of two friends – a boy and a bear – and what happens when, tired of chores and being told what to do, they decide to run away.
What will we find in the uncut grass?’
‘It depends on what we’re looking for.’
Across one incredible day spent debating gnomes, racing snails and wrestling with leaf monsters, boy and bear discover the courage to face the unknown, the joys of listening better and why the best adventures should always take you back home again.
As Noah reflects on the inspiration behind the book and the broader themes it tackles, his insights reveal a profound understanding of both the simplicity and complexity of these relationships. Now, the accomplished comedian and host shares more about the creative process, his personal experiences, and the lessons he hopes readers will take away from his newest release.
Trevor Noah: Well, I think it’s a few things. One, I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book. I’ve always found them simple and yet meaningful at the same time. And then I wanted to write a book that tried to tackle, in my opinion, the most complicated subject, which is conflict resolution, using one of the more, I would say like the nine subjects in our lives, which is just like kids who don’t want to do something that their parents want them to do. And really it was me trying to solve a puzzle that’s a lot larger than in this book, but just playing with it in a world that’s really simple and imaginative and beautiful at the same time.
Infused with Trevor’s signature wit and imagination, in collaboration with visionary artist Sabina Hahn, it’s a tale for readers of all ages – to be read aloud or read alone.
Trevor Noah is a globally beloved comedian from South Africa. He was the host of the Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022. Trevor served as the Grammy Awards host for three consecutive years, and his stand-up special ‘Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia’ received a Grammy nomination for best comedy album in 2020. He has written, produced, and starred in 12 comedy specials, including 2022’s Emmy-nominated ‘I Wish You Would’, and has sold-out stand-up comedy shows, including his current ‘Off The Record’ World Tour. He is now developing and producing diverse, high- quality creative content with Day Zero Productions, his joint venture with Paramount Global. He has also launched the Trevor Noah Foundation to improve equitable access to quality education for underserved youth in South Africa. Trevor’s future projects include hosting Amazon Prime Video’s first South African original series called LOL: Last One Laughing, serving as executive producer for the long-running British comedy series Mock the Week, and hosting What Now?, an original Spotify weekly podcast. Visit him online at TrevorNoah.com.