Družina
(Family) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
What happens when a stray cat, who knows nothing about love and belonging, crosses paths with a kind-hearted boy? In this charming picture book, a simple encounter turns into a life-changing journey. The cat not only gains a friend but also a forever home – something he never dreamed of. And the biggest surprise? It’s the very mice he wanted to catch that teach him the true meaning of family, courage, and care. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
The creation of this deeply meaningful and aesthetically refined picture book has an interesting background. The publishers, who have a “nose for a good story,” were attending a presentation of the adult novel Kurji pastir, the first part of a trilogy about the author’s childhood. While listening to a passage from the book being read aloud, they suddenly realized that they were actually hearing a story perfect for a picture book. The author did not change the text very much afterwards, and the illustrator masterfully enhanced it with dynamic yet gentle images full of dialogue between the characters. The plot of the picture book is simple: a stray cat wanders to a house, and a boy takes him in as his own. They talk a lot. One morning, the cat tells the boy that despite a rich night’s hunt, he remained hungry. He let all mice go, as they — through their devotion to one another — showed him what it means to be a family. A warm and not at all soppy picture book about fundamental values of life. The book has received the Golden Pear Quality Badge.