O kravi, ki je lajala v luno
(The Cow that Barked at the Moon) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Sprinkles the Cow has grown old and realizes she can no longer stay on the farm. She decides to take matters into her own hands: despite all her fears she gets on a bike and sets off into the unknown. She soon meets an uncommon horse, Van der Neigh, who is a tap dancer. An adventure for two begins. This dynamic story unobtrusively addresses the important yet rarely discussed themes of ageing and the elderly, demonstrating that while old people might sometimes seem a bit looney, they can still lead a very creative, active, fulfilled, and happy life. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
A defining trait of the author’s picture books, featuring (domestic) animals, previously pigs and now a cow and a horse, is the literary nature of the characters. Her animals are not defined in relation to the child (in the sense of a child and the specific environment in which they play or face situations) instead, as in classical fables, they embody age-independent and universal human character traits, expressing emotions such as anger, sadness, and happiness (in the pigs) or rejection, obsolescence, and uselessness (in the cow and horse). Among outstanding selection of the annual production, this picture book stands out as a sophisticated fusion of text and illustration. The cow and horse duo riding a bicycle together serves as an enduring symbol of optimism and zest for life, demonstrating their ability to overcome even the darkest circumstances. With graceful playfulness and refined restraint in both language and light, the book effectively engages readers of all ages, encouraging thoughtful contemplation of the many faces of aging. The book has been selected for White Ravens, an annual selection of children’s and youth literature from around the world by the International Youth Library in Munich and has received both the Kristina Brenkova Award for Original Slovenian Picture Book and the Golden Pear Quality Badge.