Bober nogometaš
(Beaver the Footballer) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In collaboration with the publishing house Miš, author Nina Mav Hrovat and illustrator Tanja Komadina teamed up for this engaging picture book about Domži, a beaver who doesn’t quite fit the beaver mould. His true passion is football. While his beaver family can’t quite wrap their heads around his fascination with chasing a ball, Domži decides to follow his dreams. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
It’s not every day that a football club commissions a picture book with their mascot as the main character. Usually, such ventures don’t quite hit the mark, as commercial demands and artistic inspiration that rely on strong writing and high-quality illustrations rarely make easy teammates. However, in the case of Domži the Beaver, the beloved mascot of Domžale Football Club, everything comes together beautifully. Not exactly a textbook beaver, Domži would rather dribble than gnaw branches, though his parents remind him that one must “gnaw one’s way through life”. When he joins a team and proves his talent on the pitch, they wisely concede that he’ll simply “kick his way through life instead”. Vivid illustrations, peppered with comic-style speech bubbles, add an extra dose of humour to the text. The book also includes an English translation, a brief history of FC Domžale, and a fascinating look at the age-old ties between beavers and the Domžale area. A delightful read that’s sure to help earn the Reading Badge, even for kids who would usually rather kick a ball than open a book.