Parsisiųsti

Transcription

Parsisiųsti
i l l u s t r a r i u m
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
The Best
i l l u s t r a r i u m
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010

he first work by a Lithuanian writer for children appeared
in the mid-19th century, but it was only in the 20th century
that children’s literature started appearing regularly. From
1864 to 1904, the Imperial Russian authorities banned all
public use of the Lithuanian language in Lithuania, which was then a province of
the Russian Empire. The years 1918 to 1940, a period referred to by Lithuanians as
the first period of independence, were conducive to the flourishing of the arts. By
the mid-1930s, all genres of children’s literature had formed and matured. From
1940 to 1990, the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union, which prevented
national literature and art from following completely independent courses. Yet it
was not a completely barren time. Around the mid-1960s, writers shook off the
straightforward didactics and departed from the ideological agenda. Genres such as
the literary fairy tale, the short story, children’s poetry and drama developed a playful character, and also came to reflect a child’s sensibilities and mentality. Around
1980, writers discovered what was called “Aesopian” language. People talked of the
double meanings in children’s books, and rebellious ideas were found in children’s
books as much as in mainstream literature.
After a historical interlude, the best children’s books that originated in these earlier periods have been reprinted in modern Lithuania. A few of them are featured
in this catalogue.
4
5
The
 Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
In 1990, Lithuania won back its independence. The literature of the 21st century
to the new political and historical contexts. Socialist ideologists expected writers
continues processes that started a decade ago. At last, we can speak about the natu-
to show an idealised life: the young reader was not to be exposed to social and
ral development of children’s literature, with all the ideological restrictions and
moral problems and dilemmas. After 2000, works such as Bitė Vilimaitė’s Mergaitės
censorship gone. Readers have access to the literary heritage of the first period of
­romanas (A Girl’s Novel), Kazys Saja’s …kurio nieks nemylėjo (The One Nobody Loved),
independence, and to world classics. Literature in translation started influencing
Vytautas Račickas’ Baltos durys (The White Doors), Gendrutis Morkūnas’ Iš nuomšiko
the themes, problems and style of Lithuanian writers. The free market and its laws
­gyvenimo (From a Tenant’s Life) and others can be grouped together under the term
are also an important influence, although not always the most positive one.
“new realism”. These writers write about street children, the mafia, the criminal un-
In all its stages, children’s literature in Lithuania has been rooted in the folk
derworld, drugs, suicide, and the social and even sexual abuse of children.
tradition, but always in different ways. Of modern writers and poets, Martynas
The problem novel emerged around 1985. The genre has been most extensively
­Vainilaitis (1933–2006) explored the most the wealth of folk literature. This famous
explored by Vytautas Račickas, currently the most popular author, who has often
and popular poet wrote about ten verse fairy tales, based on legends, tales and folk
depicted divorce and loneliness in his books. The problem novel has become more
narratives.
diverse, in terms of theme, problem, style and means of expression. In her long
Folk imagery has also been explored ingeniously by Leonardas Gutauskas and
short story Laumžirgio namai (The House of Dragonflies), Gintarė Adomaitytė com-
­Selemonas Paltanavičius to reveal some unexpected aspects. Gintaras Beresnevičius
bines a seamlessly lyrical narrative and detective elements, and depicts the fates
(1961–2009), a researcher into religion and ethnology, introduced children to myth-
of women and young girls who discover themselves in a new and different social
ological creatures. Daiva Vaitkevičiūtė and Justinas Žilinskas, influenced by the in-
setting. Vilė Vėl, in her book Parašyk man iš Afrikos (Write to me from Africa), in-
ternationally popular trend for fantasy, have also found a way to integrate into their
troduces quite a new phenomenon: her character is the son of a diplomat, and he
books authentic material from Lithuanian fairy tales and myths.
returns to Lithuania from France to cope with complex problems of identity. Ona
Each stage in the development of literature traditionally commences with a new
Jautakė, in her book Kai aš buvau Kleo (When I was Cleo), has succeeded in creating a
wave of history writing. The books produced over the last few decades by Skomantas,
positive contemporary character, a teenager able to face new social and moral chal-
Jurgis Jankus, Aleksandras Guobis, Jurgis Kunčinas and Remigijus Misiūnas demon-
lenges. Vytautė Žilinskaitė, a writer of the older generation, in her long short story
strate a critical and ironic approach to Soviet realities, or they select formerly taboo
Kintas, has portrayed typically rebellious adolescence and pseudo-heroism. Kazys
subjects, such as the deportations to Siberia or the atmosphere that haunted the
Saja, in his book Septyni miegantys broliai (Seven Sleeping Brothers), has revealed
postwar years and the ideological idiocy.
the spiritual dilemmas of an adopted child.
If we were to focus on entirely new aspects of 21st-century children’s literature,
The free market implicitly demands joyful and playful books that mirror con-
the most prominent would be the use of nonsense, explored by all the writers of the
temporary everyday life, and an intriguing plot. In this respect, we should note the
new generation. The first was Vytautas V. Landsbergis (Rudnosiuko istorijos [Rud-
project of Alma littera, the largest publisher in Lithuania, for the series of books
nosiukas’s Stories]), Obuolių pasakos [Apple Tree Tales] and Arklio Dominyko meilė
entitled “Girls’ League”, which follows the example of popular foreign writers, such
(Dominic the Horse in Love]). Nijolė Kepenienė, Sigitas Poškus, Renata Šerelytė and
as Hotense Ullrich, Louise Rennison, Meg Cabot and others. Several talented young
Rimantas Černiauskas are also writers who have created imaginary comic worlds
female authors have been invited to join the project. Kristina Gudonytė, with her
and tell stories set in them. Nonsense seems to be the best vehicle for expressing
novel Blogos mergaitės dienoraštis (Diary of a Bad Girl), and Daiva Vaitkevičiūtė in
all kinds of freedoms, political, civil and spiritual.
her long short story Trise prieš mafiją (Three against the Mafia), are other female
We have started seeing more interesting and diverse realistic prose appear, which
used to take second place to the literary fairy tale. These changes are also related
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
writers who have demonstrated their ability to write popular prose which deals
with problems.
6
7
The
 Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
Literature for young adults received new ideas from the writing of Gendrutis
The last part will help foreign publishers to get to know the individual styles of
Morkūnas (1950–2009), a doctor of physics, who dedicated only five years to writing.
Lithuanian illustrators through their illustrations to children’s books, especially
In his books Vasara su katšuniu (Summer with a Catdog), Grįžimo istorija (A Come-
those for children’s classics in Lithuanian translation.
back Story) and Velniškai karštos atostogos (Damned Hot Holidays), the elements
There is much useful information at the end of the book: alphabetical indices
of magic realism interact impressively with puns and nonsense, and with visionary
of writers, artists and books, and contact information for the main publishers of
and metaphorical ideas. Above all, it is very deep and wise literature.
children’s books.
Another relatively new and promising trend is the rise of picture books. Surprisingly, although Lithuanian book illustrators have been recognised in Europe for
Kęstutis Urba
some time now, the children’s picture book genre has not been too popular at home,
Chairman of the Lithuanian Section of the International Board
and it is not clear why.
on Books for Young People
Now both publishers and buyers are coming to understand the role and importance of picture books: the genre is taking a stronger hold on the market. The artist and writer Kęstutis Kasparavičius has gained wide international recognition;
Laisvydė Šalčiūtė’s work has been recognised by international prizes; and the work
of Ieva Babilaitė, Rasa Joni, Sigutė Ach, Lina Žutautė, Paulius Juodišius and other
artists is attracting more and more interest.
One alarming new tendency in children’s literature is that the formerly strong
tradition of poetry is on the wane. There used to be many poetry books published.
The poetess Ramutė Skučaitė has achieved an amazing artistic maturity over the
last decade. She is the first children’s writer to win the Lithuanian National Prize for
Culture and Arts. It is unfortunate though that children’s poetry is not seeing new
talents emerge, similar to the new voices in prose. The market is currently dominated by conventional and derivative poetry; we can only hope that this situation
is temporary.
This catalogue features the most important books by Lithuanian writers, poets and illustrators, published between 2000 and 2010. As has already been noted,
some of them were written and published earlier, but came out in new editions
during this decade.
The catalogue comprises seven parts. It starts with folk literature, distinguished
by its unusual structure and the artistry of the illustrations. These are followed by
poetry and picture books.
The main parts of the catalogue give an overview of the literary fairy tale and
realistic fiction. Reference books which introduce all aspects of modern-day life are
presented in a separate part.
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010

folklore 13
poetry 21
picture books 31
Contents
literary fairy tales and fantasy 47
realistic stories 61
educational books 71
world literature for children, ­illustrated by Lithuanian artists 79
Index 92
List of publishers 94
folklore
12
13
folklore
folk songs
folk songs
traditional sortilege
Bėgs pelytė vandenėlio
Dainuoj zuikis, dainuoj lapė
Dievo karvyte, pasakyk
A LITTLE MOUSE’S GONNA RUN
FOR WATER
Illustrated by Taida Balčiūnienė
A HARE’S SINGING, A FOX’S SINGING,
TOO
Illustrated by Ingrida Umbrasaitė
TELL ME, DEAR LADYBIRD
Illustrated by Živilė Šimėnienė
Nine funny Lithuanian folk songs
for the youngest readers, some of
the most beautiful examples of
folk poetic work. They are intended
to be sung by children themselves,
as well as by adults together with
their kids. The children’s songs presented here are extremely diverse
in terms of genre; examples of various genre categories are included,
such as lullabies, child songs, as
well as animal-themed songs. The
songs are supplemented with
musical notes standing for melodic
expression of the texts.
This collection of Lithuanian folk
songs for children presents a rich
variety of texts intended both for
the youngest readers and for the
bigger ones. The book is organised
according to the circadian rhythm:
from child songs to lullabies. And
then, there is the midday feast fun,
including adventures of birds and
animals. Each text is provided with
its own melody, written in notes
and recorded on a CD. Lithuanian
folk songs for children present a
mysterious world, with its fantastic,
unique, and optimistic features,
which are due the improvisational
poetics of Lithuanian children’s
folk songs.
Target reader: 1–5 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 24 p.
isBn 978-9955-08-071-8
Target reader: 2–8 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2004. – 64 p.
isBn 9955-512-83-0
TELL ME, DEAR LADYBIRD
Illustration by Živilė Šimėnienė
14
15
folklore
Associated with magical rituals,
sortilege is one the most archaic
strata of Lithuanian folklore. Here
belong genres such as little prayers,
prayer songs, incantations, workand home-themed fortune-tellings,
as well as entertaining sortilege.
These songs can be whispered,
chanted, holloed, as well as sung.
Pronounced repeatedly, a word
acquires magical powers. The book
presents not just the mysterious
texts, but also a detailed scholarly
explanation of the mysteries
related to sortilege.
Target reader: 7–10 year-old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2005. – 64 p.
isBn 9955-16-015-2
PIXIES’ TALES
Illustration by Stasys Eidrigevičius
folk tales
folk tales
folk tales
Gerai, bet nelabai
Laumių pasakos
Lietuvių liaudies pasakos
OK, BUT NOT QUITE
Illustrated by Irena DaukšaitėGuobienė
PIXIES’ TALES
Illustrated by Stasys Eidrigevičius
FOLK TALES FROM LITHUANIA
Illustrated by Eglė Gražienė,
Eglė Kuckaitė, Vilmantas
Marcinkevičius, Diana Monkevičiūtė,
Asta Puikienė, Birutė Zokaitytė,
Neringa Žukauskaitė
The world of “fairy tales of lies”
is unlimited, but safe, since we
all know that in reality it is not
appropriate to lie. It is therefore
acceptable to laugh and play,
balancing on the threshold of
belief and disbelief, pretending
that all this may well be true or
false. Such is the space of the fairy
tales of lies, and the laughter one
hears in these tales is therefore
many-faceted. This selection of
Lithuanian folk tales of lies and of
so-called formulaic tales includes
funny examples that provoke a
flight of imagination knowing no
limits. These tales’ topics include
liars, a drunk crow, a ghost killed,
the bread which fled, and all things
good, but not quite.
Pixies count among the most
mysterious mythological creatures
of Lithuanian folklore. Readers
of these fairy tales will form an
idea about pixies’ origin, their
appearance, and their special
powers which cannot but provoke
real wonder. Pixies’ deeds are
described in detail, but readers are
also advised how to guard against
them and how to deal with them.
“In our times, pixies don’t exist, but
old people tell…”, “I have never seen
a pixie, but my grandmother has
seen them for sure.” Such phrases
are there to arouse intrigue in
readers in order to arrest their
attention. The emotional impact of
the book is supported by the surreal illustrations authored by the
famous Stasys Eidrigevičius.
Target reader: 6–10 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2002. – 80 p.
isBn 9986-34-095-0
Target reader: 7–12 years old
Šviesa, Kaunas, 2008. – 132 p.
isBn 5430-04-298-1
16
17
folklore
This collection includes the seven
most beautiful Lithuanian folk
tales. Readers will be astonished at
the diversity of plot, the abundance
of events, and the variety of acting
characters in these tales. They
are characterised by subtleties of
their poetics and the freedom of
unbound imagination. Unique in
their national features (a peculiar
mythological worldview, where a
happy ending is not guaranteed,
frequently including parts for singing which add to the lyricism of the
tales), Lithuanian folk tales stand
out among the fairy tales of the
peoples of the world.
Target reader: 6–11 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2007. – 96 p.
isBn 978-9955-23-082-3
Translated into English and Italian
funny lithuanian curses
folk tales
folk tales
folk tales
Lįsk vabalo blauzdon!
Našlaitė Elenytė ir Joniukas
aviniukas
Negirdėtos neregėtos pasakos
Pasakų skrynelė
UNSEEN AND UNHEARD-OF TALES
Illustrated by Gintaras Jocius
A COFFRET OF TALES
Illustrated by Aspazija Surgailienė
This collection contains the most
famous Lithuanian folk tales. All
the different types of tales are
included: tales of wonders, animalthemed (or wildlife-themed) ones,
as well as domestic tales (including jokey ones). All of them are
fascinating due to the breathtaking
flight of fantasy, as well as peculiarities of artistic and aesthetic
expression, including unique
stylistic means. Importantly, these
tales have never been meant just
for entertainment or relaxation.
They manifest people’s wisdom
accumulated over thousands of
years, their self-perception as well
as such human values as happiness,
love, truth, and freedom.
Ten Lithuanian folk tales in separate tiny books are put together in
a folder (or a “coffret”). The look of
this collection is intended to remind readers of the ornaments and
bright colors of a traditional dowry
chest. The unity of illustration and
text is what makes this collection
one of the most beautiful and
original children books in Lithuania. Short-spoken descriptions, a
distinctive symbolism that conveys
the harmony between man and nature, a subtle sense of humor, and
the aesthetics of naivete highlights
the beauty of the harmonious and
lucid fairy-tale world.
GET INTO A SHANK OF A BEETLE!
Illustrated by Živile Šimėnienė
A COFFRET OF TALES
Illustration by Aspazija Surgailienė
This lively and illustrated collection
of traditional Lithuanian curses
presents more than fifty colourful
and witty, but by no means angry
curse formulas for wishing, retorting, objecting or sneering at bad
conduct or at bad character traits.
After all, Lithuanians have never
been too foul-mouthed… These
curses seem to be bad-wishing, but
in actual fact they help us when
we want to have a joke, to express
our astonishment or even a sense
of admiration. Alongside the
expressive texts, which have their
origin in children’s conversation,
the book also includes a detailed
scholarly explanation of the origin
and purpose of cursing.
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2004. – 48 p.
isBn 9955-512-81-4
ORPHAN ELENYTĖ AND JONIUKAS
THE LAMB
Illustrated by Petras Repšys
This story is one of the most
beautiful Lithuanian folk tales.
Joniukas had ignored his sister’s
warning and drank water from
the footprint of a lamb, which
resulted in his turning into a lamb
himself. Then the sister, pushed by
a witch into the water, turns into a
fish. In Lithuanian folk tales, Good
usually overcomes Evil. This tale,
too, ends happily. The illustrations
by the famous artist Petras Repšys
make this book a nice piece of art
conveying a peculiar atmosphere
of Lithuanian folklore.
Target reader: 5–7 years old
Vaga, Vilnius, 2006. – 20 p.
isBn 5-415-01905-7
18
19
Target reader: 6–10-years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2006. – 212 p.
isBn 9955-24-350-3
folklore
Target reader: 5–7 years old
Mažasis Vyturys, Vilnius, 2002. –
1 case: 10 titles.
isBn 9955-05-036-5
poetry
folk tales
mythological stories
Siaubo pasakos
Sužeistas vėjas
HORROR TALES
Illustrated by Sigitas Staniūnas
THE INJURED WIND
Illustrated by Ramunė Vėliuvienė
These Lithuanian folk tales are
characterized by elements of
horror and the aesthetics of horror,
which has nothing to do with real
fear; rather, it serves as a source
of literary delight. Representation
of fear allows a reader to get a
certain kind of satisfaction: he or
she is attracted by the prospect of a
solution to the mystery. It appears
that evil and wandering spirits, the
dead, ghosts, and spooks inhabit a
kingdom of their own. If we trespass on the border separating the
real from the ulterior world, rather
than being warmly welcomed, we
will most certainly be punished.
Tales teach us to overcome our
sense of fear and argue that such
experience is rather useful.
This book presents mythological legends that are traceable to
old religious beliefs. The world,
as represented by mythological
legends, is not only mysterious, but
also dangerous to humans. These
tales were born from the desire
to learn what the world is like
(awesome and frightful). They were
generated by observing nature or
by contemplating human behavior.
Acting characters here are mythical
creatures of infinite variety, whose
deeds signify major existential
themes such as love, happiness,
danger, and death.
Target reader: 10–14 years old
Versus Aureus, Vilnius, 2005. – 232 p.
isBn 9955-601-70-1
Target reader: 10–14 years old
Šviesa, Kaunas, 2006. – 144 p.
isBn 5-430-04403-2
Lithuania Guest of Honour in Bologna 2011
20
21
poetry
THE WHITE CROW
Illustration by Rasa Dočkutė
Liutauras Degėsys
Juozas Erlickas
Sigitas Geda
Leonardas Gutauskas
Žolynas. Žvėrynas
Aš moku augti
Baltoji varnelė
Petriukas debesėlis
GRASSLAND. BEASTLAND
Illustrated by Inga Gilytė
I CAN GROW
Illustrated by the author
THE WHITE CROW
Illustrated by Rasa Dočkutė
Most often, the poet writes his
poems having in mind a “little sad
person.” There is a certain beauty
in this sadness, and this is the mystery of the poems that are calm
and remind us of ballads. They
float like quiet melodies; there is
no room for noise here. Images are
close to those what a child would
capture: a beautiful quietly laughing thrush bird with a tear audile
in its voice; a quietly playing moth;
a spider dreaming his sad dreams…
On the other hand, we cannot but
notice cheerful improvisational
songs, that are full of absurd situations and playfulness. The design
of the book is ingenious: poems
for boys can be read from one side
and poems for girls from the other
side.
A joke, the carnival comic, a tragicomic game – these are the words
that describe poems for children by
this author. The book is compiled of
selected poems that both children
and adults can enjoy. Parodies of
Soviet caricatures and strange and
deformed morality of present-day
life that are conveyed in the poems
warn that we almost crossed the
line, beyond which only universal
self-destruction is awaiting us.
Having chosen a grotesque way of
depicting the world, the poet speaks
about the most important values
common to mankind. On the other
hand, side by side with the satirical
way of depiction, a romanticized
and lyrical outlook to the world and
search for fundamental values –
childhood, life, love, language, and
motherland is presented.
The author of this book is one of
the most distinct creators of nontraditional poetry for children. The
freshness of his poems comes from
playful attitude towards poetry,
which is based on playing with
the poetics of paradox. The world
emerging out ever-existing primary chaos opens up to the reader.
The poet creates his world with the
help of myths, legends, and elements of fairy tales, and imitations
of folk songs. Everything is possible
here: flying sea calves, sheep, cows,
maidens, father, mother… Mythical
creatures – a boy by the name of
White Nothing, White Crow – have
magical powers and bring miracles
into child’s world.
PETER THE CLOUD
Compiled by Gražina SkabeikytėKazlauskienė, illustrated by the
author
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 271 p.
isBn 9955-595-98-1
Target reader: 10–16 years old
Tyto alba, Vilnius, 2008. – 436 p.
isBn 9986-16-287-4
22
23
poetry
Target reader: 7–11 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2000. – 167 p.
isBn 9986-02-807-8
This book is a compilation of
33 most beautiful poems for
children by this author. Distinct
sense of folklore, transformations
of various folklore genres (tales,
fairy tales, riddles, proverbs, and
sayings), and manifestations of
mythical worldview help create
original poetic imagery. The poems
open up the world of mysteries of
ancient mythical folk beliefs. They
raise associations and demand
concentration, deep thinking and
flair from the reader. Because the
book is illustrated and written
by the same person, the perfect
synthesis of text and image is
achieved.
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2009. – 56 p.
isBn 978-9955-16-294-0
Kazys JakuBėnas
Valdemaras Kukulas
Aidas Marčėnas
Kas kiemely daros?
Vėjo birbynė
Žmogaus žvaigždė
WHAT’S OUTSIDE, WHAT’S INSIDE?
Illustrated by Sigutė Chlebinskaitė
THE WIND WHISTLE
Illustrated by Edita Dulskaitė
THE STAR OF THE MAN
Illustrated by Šarūnas Leonavičius
The poems in this book are
devoted to the youngest readers.
They are based on the poetics of
Lithuanian folk songs for children.
Many of the poems remind of
games, teasers, and mockery of
names or character flaws. The main
topic of the poems is adventures
of animals. Nice-sounding rhythm,
distinct language, dynamic action
or, in other words, light form and
simple content are characteristic
to the poems. Kazys Jakubėnas attempted to make children not only
smile, but laugh out loud.
The world depicted in this book
is especially subtle and childishly
pure, deep and playful. The poems
are born from loneliness and pure
sadness. Loneliness allows a child
to see the world in a different
way. His world is extraordinary,
transparent, and lucid. He sees
the beauty of the wind, the rain
and a sunset and understands the
meaning of silence, grief, and loss.
On the other hand, the poetic play
with unexpected situations and
comparisons are akin to the nature
of a child. Valdemaras Kukulas
creates comparisons that can come
only to an observant child.
First, the illustrations were created.
Later, text was written to accompany the illustrations. Both, the
poems and the illustrations unlock
the symbolism of ancient Baltic
people’s worldview, draw a picture
of mythical Lithuania, and show
the beauty of nature as well as
Christian verities, the transience
of life and the feeling of approaching death… Most importantly, the
poems are written in a language
that is easily understandable by
children. The meanings hidden in
the illustrations are explained in a
brief and concise manner.
Target reader: 2–5 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2003. – 60 p.
isBn 9955-512-40-7
THE STAR OF THE MAN
Illustration by Šarūnas Leonavičius
24
25
poetry
Target reader: 7–11 years old
Vyturys, Vilnius, 2000. – 64 p.
isBn 5-7900-0950-6
Target reader: 7–11 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2004. – 52 p.
isBn 9986-34-133-7
Česlovas Navakauskas
Violeta Palčinskaitė
Sigitas Poškus
Ramutė Skučaitė
Ramutė Skučaitė
Linksmažodžiai išdykauja
Po kabančiu pasakos tiltu
Amalgama
Aš – eilėraščių knyga
Takelis iš naujo
WORDS HAVING FUN
Illustrated by Ilja Bereznickas
UNDER A HANGING BRIDGE
OF A FAIRY TALE
Illustrated by Irena DaukšaitėGuobienė
AMALGAM
Cover design by Algis Kliševičius
I AM A BOOK OF POEMS
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach,
Erika Minkevičiūtė, Lina EitmantytėValužienė
THE PATH STARTS ONCE AGAIN
Illustrated by Jūratė Račinskaitė
In this cheerful poetry book words
not only come to life, but play and
have fun. Stiff and boring images
are turned upside down. The play
of imagination has no borders!
Playing with language is a clever
way to make bored students
interested in their native language
and understand how important,
interesting and meaningful each
and every element of language is.
Caricature-like illustrations by Ilja
Bereznickas nicely help achieve the
playful tone of the book.
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Šviesa, Kaunas, 2004. – 32 p.
isBn 5-450-03777-x
The poetry can be described as
playfully unexpected, fairylike, stylistically light, graceful, and lucid.
From time to time, the moods of
subtle sadness or romantic longing
are conveyed. Quite a few poems
are simply beautiful because of the
allusions to one’s childhood and
the search for light and endless
kindness. The poems are like walking from a simple artistic form to
a more complex one, while having
in mind the stages of child’s age
and his ability to comprehend. It’s
like playing games at first, and
then gradually approaching more
profound generalizations, the
importance of subtext, and all that
is beautiful and mysterious.
This poet is known as a creator
of experimental poetry at the
phonetic level of language. In this
book, however, he opens up as an
author of lyrical and humorous
poems that have plot. These poems
are based not only on folkloric, but
also cultural sense of the world.
Poet’s unpredictable worldview
helps a child to see things that are
not visible from the first glance,
and to feel things that cannot be
felt right away.
Target reader: 8–12 years old
Ciklonas, Vilnius, 2007. – 88 p.
isBn 978-9955-695-77-6
Target reader: 5–10 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2010. – 56 p.
isBn 978-9955-16-354-1
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
The collection is full of vibrant
poems, which present the world
full of fun, joy, music and blossoming flowers. Associations with nature help see the harmonic world
of sounds and imitate the mood
created by musical instruments.
The organ resembles the ocean and
a storm that make ships sink. Kankles, the Lithuanian musical instrument related to zither, resembles
the buzz of a millstone. Bassoon
reminds of a fog, a strong rain and
a dance of leaves. One chapter is
devoted to rhymed puzzles. Fluent
and poetically suggestive puzzles
fulfill the aesthetic function, which
is of the most important functions
in a literary creation.
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 168 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-68-1
26
27
poetry
Poems by this author are delicate
and lucid, almost transparent. In
the book, they are intertwined
with unexpected observations,
memories, impressions, small
essays or prose poetry. Especially
strong is the feeling of an impression, a short moment, which
emerges from one’s childhood, and
the “wish that everything would be
more beautiful”. It creates a longing
for a harmonious world, created
with the help of various details,
colors and visions. The design of
the book adds to the sensation of
coziness: next to “scattered” petals,
the reader sees old photographs of
the poetess herself.
Target reader: 8–12 years old
Lithuanian Writers’ Union
Publishers, Vilnius, 2001. – 173 p.
isBn 9986-39-198-9
Renata Šerelytė
Judita Vaičiūnaitė
Martynas Vainilaitis
Ėriukas po baobabu, arba
Megztinis su uodega
Aitvaras
Bruknelė
THE KITE
Illustrated by Ula Vaičiūnaitė
LINGONBERRY
Illustrated by Bronius Leonavičius
The author of this collection is
called a city poetess. Her poems
are cozy, light, joyful and enigmatic
at the same time. Something
mysterious hides in the basement
of a large house, which is lit only
by the light of a candle. Only mice
and a little creature that keeps the
home safe live there. From the
basement, the reader is invited to
the space under the staircase and
later, into the streets of the city,
where one can dance and have
fun under the street lights. In the
poems, the Old Town of Vilnius is
beautiful because of a blossoming
pear-tree, red roof tiles and towers
with weathercocks, street lights
and paper boats sailing down the
Vilnele River…
This tale in verse is a unique
phenomenon in Lithuanian children’s literature. There were even
attempts to compare it to Homer’s
works. Each line hides poetically
rendered mythical images, which
create a feeling of mysteriousness. A little elf, Dingutis kisses
Lingonberry and she turns into a
beautiful girl. Lingonberry agrees
to marry the lord of the Elf Castle,
but only if he rides to Mortar the
Witch and buys her a ring. This
is when the hero starts the test…
The poet’s immense imagination
allows to enjoy the originality of
the mythical world he created, and
amazingly mysterious illustrations
add to the mood of this tale.
A LAMB UNDER A BAOBAB OR
A SWEATER WITH A TAIL
Illustrated by Rimvydas Kepežinskas
These poems present a whole
world of an array of little creatures
hiding in small and cozy spaces.
A little brownie sips tea on a chimney, an elf wanders in raspberry
bushes, some fairies sleep under
flower petals, a little ghost snores
in a tree hollow, and frog Ole
sleeps covered by pieces of cloth.
They all dream sweet and peaceful
dreams. Silky fog was just spilt and
is evaporating calmly. The charm
of the moment unfolds with the
help of scents, colors and sounds.
On the other hand, the poems do
not lack light irony, laughter, play
of imagination and subtleties of
nonsense verse. Wouldn’t it be fun
to see a sweater with a tail?
A LAMB UNDER A BAOBAB OR A SWEATER WITH A TAIL
Illustration by Rimvydas Kepežinskas
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Lithuanian Writers’ Union
Publishers, Vilnius, 2000. – 64 p.
isBn 9986-39-133-4
28
29
poetry
Target reader: 6–10 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2005. – 104 p.
isBn 9955-08-981-4
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2010. – 102 p.
isBn 978-6094-01-078-1
Martynas Vainilaitis
Martynas Vainilaitis
Juokų maišelis
Sidabrinė kultuvėlė
A SACK OF JOKES
Illustrated by Rimantas Rolia
SILVER DOLLY
Illustrated by Irena Žviliuvienė
and Živilė Žviliūtė
Nothing is more enjoyable to a
child than jokes, fooling around
and merriment. This poetry book
is full of entertaining, joyful and
humorous poems. The beauty of
Martynas Vainilaitis’ poems comes
from simple, clear and easily flowing ideas.
Target reader: 5–10 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 104 p.
isBn 9955-595-60-4
picture books
This fairy tale in verse is based
on myth, tale, fairy tale and the
author’s endless imagination. It
does not refer to a plot of any one
folk tale. Mysterious motifs, small
fragments or impressions come together to form a unified tale about
love, a deal between the Devil and
Man, and the battle between good
and evil. Especially colorful are the
portraits of mythical creatures –
witches and devils. Let the reader
see if the witch Bigute becomes
the wife of Raulas Matas. Having
sensed the sorrow in Bigute’s heart,
Raulas’ junior brother, Paulius will
go and fight…
Target reader: 7–11 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2002. – 104 p.
isBn 9986-34-091-8
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
30
31
picture books
Sigutė Ach
Gintarė Adomaitytė
Ieva BaBilaitė
Šuo Ambrozijus, katinėlis
Purkius ir Angelo kelionė namo
Mykoliuko diena
Čiauškančios raidės
MIKIE’S DAY
Illustrated by Šarūnas Sauka
CHATTERING LETTERS
Illustrated by the author
Šarūnas Sauka is one of the most
renowned Lithuanian post-modern
artists, awarded the Lithuanian
National Prize. Mikie’s Day is a
work of art illustrated by words.
It tells the story of the creation of
the world. The child’s point of view,
his fears, beliefs, and expectations
are philosophically conveyed by
compact texts written by Gintarė
Adomaitytė and illustrated by the
artist. A child would have to grow
together with this book, which
would help him develop his sense
of aesthetics and metaphoric
imagination.
In this book, by artist and book
illustrator Ieva Babilaite, letterstoys live. Little readers not only
will be able to get acquainted with
the letters, but also learn to put
them together into simple words
and read them. Cheerful and warm
illustrations will catch children’s
attention, and they will help
grown-ups return to the world of
childhood.
AMBROSIUS THE DOG, PURR THE
CAT, AND ANGEL’S JOURNEY HOME
Illustrated by the author
This is a warm and romantic tale
about two friends, a cat and a dog
who observe clouds that are passing by and create lovely imaginary
stories. One cloud turns into a
lake and Ambrosius the dog with
his friends, Purr the cat and an
elephant help an Angel who was
travelling in this lake, find his way
home. Gentle and somewhat sentimental illustrations by the book’s
author, Sigutė Ach are equally
adored by children and adults. This
is a true school of goodness and
dreams.
Target reader: 6–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2002. – 60 p.
isBn 9955-9543-0-2
Target reader: 9–12 years old
Žalmedis, Vilnius, 2004. – 18 p.
isBn 9986-954-03-7
English translation: Mikie’s day
isBn 9986-954-04-5
CHATTERING LETTERS
Illustration by Ieva Babilaitė
32
33
picture books
Target reader: 3–7 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2010. – 48 p.
isBn 9789986342465
Ilja Bereznickas
Jurga Čekatauskaitė
Sigitas Geda
Kas atsitiko Albertui, arba
Kaip aš išmokau daryti
mankštą
Ulė ir peliukas
Pelytė Sidabrytė
ULE AND MOUSIE
Illustrated by Ieva Babilaitė
LITTLE SILVERMOUSE
Illustrated by Eglė Gelažiūtė
It’s an enjoyable picture book
about a little girl, Ule, and her
friend, Mousie. A playful paste-up,
colorful illustrations and a brief
story is everything the smallest
readers need.
This is a tale about a silver mouse
that lived in a buffet, ingeniously
written by a famous Lithuanian
poet and translator, Sigitas Geda.
The tale is illustrated by a young
artist, Eglė Gelažiūtė, who is no less
ingenious in combining realistic
pictures of various things and
drawings.
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALBERT OR
HOW I WAS LEARNING MY MORNING
EXERCISES
Illustrated by the author
Ilja Bereznickas is the author of
Lithuanian animated films and
comic books. This cheerful and dynamic book about a little elephant,
Albert will not only make children
laugh, but also teach them how to
do their morning exercises. This
book can be turned upside-down
and read from both sides.
Target reader: 3–5 years old
Tyto alba, Vilnius, 2005. – 42 p.
isBn 9986-16-450-8
Target reader: 5–9 years old
Šviesa, Vilnius, 2006. – 72 p.
isBn 5-430-04439-3
SILVER, THE MOUSE
Illustration by Eglė Gelažiūtė
34
35
picture books
Target reader: 4–7 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2004. – 23 p.
isBn 9955-584-67-x
Rasa Joni
Rasa Joni
Paulius Juodišius
Uodega
Žvaigždėtas arkliukas
ir meškiukas Panda
Amarėlio pyragas
THE TAIL
Illustrated by the author
A STARRED HORSE AND A PANDA
Illustrated by the author
This is a Lithuanian folk tale
about a cunning fox and how she
avenges a somewhat stupid wolf
for eating her dinner. However, the
fox is not able to escape punishment for her treachery either.
Rasa Joni is a creator of animated
films. For her film, The Tail she was
awarded a Gold Medal. The book
is illustrated with frames from
the film. It is supplemented with a
DVD of the film.
Target reader: 5–8 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2007. – 92 p.
isBn 978-9955-23-129-5
It is a story full of love and affection. The Bear Panda and Starry
Horse enjoy true friendship and
take care of each other. Being
together they are not afraid of any
hardships, monsters or crocodiles.
Every day they have tea and ginger
biscuits, every evening they say
gentle words to each other. There
are lots of friends and happiness,
fragrant scents, and adventures in
the story.
Target reader: 5–8 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2010. – 64 p.
isBn 978-609-401-075-0
A STARRED HORSE AND A PANDA
Illustration by Rasa Joni
36
37
picture books
BUG’S CAKE
Illustrated by the author
Aphid, the Bug found a grain and
wanted to bake a cake. He would
not have managed without the
help of his friends: the Snail, the
Caterpillar, the Centipede, the
Ant, and other insects, because,
as it turned out, dough is a very
fussy matter. This cheerful story
was written by Paulius Juodišius,
who made it possible to look into
the world of little creatures with
a magnifying glass. His books are
especially liked by preschoolers
and kindergartners.
Target reader: 5–8 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 44 p.
isBn 955-595-72-8
Kęstutis Kasparavičius
Kęstutis Kasparavičius
Kęstutis Kasparavičius
Baltasis Dramblys
Dingęs paveikslas
Sodininkas Florencijus
THE WHITE ELEPHANT
Illustrated by the author
THE LOST PAINTING
Illustrated by the author
FLORENCIUS THE GARDENER
Illustrated by the author
The book contains four stories.
One is about parrots, who were
keeping a man. The second one is
about Rabbit, the mailman, who
was advised by Turtle not to hurry.
The third one is about a talking
button that changed the life of
a boring man. The fourth one is
about White Elephant of Good
Luck, who knows what happiness is. In a gentle and somewhat
didactic manner, the author and
illustrator, Kęstutis Kasparavičius
proves to the reader that goodness
can be found in small things – a
smile, a friendly chat, a kind word.
The author’s illustrations are full
of intriguing details that are attractive to children.
Artist and writer, Kęstutis Kasparavičius tells an intriguing story
about a theft of an expensive painting Yard Dog bought by professor
Adalbert. It’s a good thing that
inspector Fox and secret agent Ulf
were present in the high-society
party. The picture was found.
However, the Yard Dog was missing
from the picture… This book is
intended for elementary school
readers and could be considered
an illustrated story rather than a
picture book. The characters of the
book are animals. However, the
author attributes human characteristics to them and mildly mocks
human flaws.
Florencius was a gardener. He grew
wonderful roses that were liked
even by the Queen. One day, the
Queen asked Florencius if he could
grow her some black roses. What
a disastrous wish! Ambitious Florencius was determined… However,
what is better – the fame of an
unsurpassable gardener or a crowd
of happy friends? Lovely bears created by the author and illustrator
will help answer this question.
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 72 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-81-0
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 68 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-29-2
THE LOST PAINTING
Illustration by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
38
39
picture books
Target reader: 7–9 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 68 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-33-9
Kęstutis Kasparavičius
Kęstutis Kasparavičius
LiBertas Klimka
Jūratė Račinskaitė
Kvailos istorijos
Trumpos istorijos
Raganyčių burtai
SILLY STORIES
Illustrated by the author
SHORT STORIES
Illustrated by the author
Senovės lietuvių dievai
ir deivės
The characters of these short,
merry and not at all silly stories
are everyday things, such as books,
chairs, tables, a clock, a frying pan
and even a toilet with a broom. This
is the first book written by wellknown children’s books’ illustrator,
Kęstutis Kasparavičius. The things
in his stories and illustrations are
given human features. The book
is especially suitable for senior
elementary school children.
In this book, the text is inseparable
from the illustrations and vice
versa. These short, charming, and
unexpected stories about everyday
things and animals that surround
us are full of affection and joyful details. Even more of these details can
be found in the illustrations of the
book. The most important thing,
however, is that the book, if read in
the evening, helps fall asleep with a
smile on the face.
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2005. – 80 p.
isBn 9955-9543-4-5
Target reader: 5–9 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2006. – 80 p.
isBn 9955-683-04-x
LITTLE WITCHES’ SORCERY
Illustrated by the author
THE ANCIENT LITHUANIAN GODS
AND GODDESSES
Illustrated by Irena DaukšaitėGuobienė
In this book, children are introduced to the pantheon of gods and
goddesses of pagan Lithuania. The
illustrations by Irena Daukšaitė
are exceptional and together with
ingenious font turn this book into
a work of art.
Target reader: 8–12 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2010. – 50 p.
isBn 978-9986-34-221-2
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
ANCIENT LITHUANIANS GODS AND GODDESSES
Illustration by Irena Daukšaitė-Guobienė
This bilingual book about two
little witches, who can turn into
anything and anybody, stimulates
children’s creativity. When the imagination of the little witches dries
out, the readers can help them out
by folding the pages of the book
and creating new characters. The
set is compiled of two books. One
has the text and the other has the
drawings of the little witches. The
reader can color the drawings, add
various details or create entirely
new stories.
Target reader: 4–6 years old
Vaga, Vilnius, 2003. – 2 books, 26 p.
isBn 5-415-01692-9
40
41
picture books
Laisvydė Šalčiūtė
Laisvydė Šalčiūtė
Laisvydė Šalčiūtė
Ar bijai sušlapti?
Raudonas kamuolys
Nykštuko kepurėlė
ARE YOU AFRAID TO GET WET?
Illustrated by the author
A RED BALL
Illustrated by the author
THE ELF’S HAT
Illustrated by the author
Where to look for a rainbow?
Little Bear and Little Elephant only
know that to find it would cause
them to get wet. Ah, that’s not too
scary! They invite little readers to
join them in their journey over
the seas and oceans to look for the
rainbow. The adventurous graphic
artist Laisvyde Salciute’s picture
book breathes with warm cosiness,
and her pictures make not only
children, but also adult readers
smile.
This is a short story about the
games that little boy Phillip
and his cat play. However, the
most important in this book are
charming illustrations by Laisvydė
Šalčiūtė, which were awarded
the Diploma of the 8th Annual
International Competition of
Illustration Rosso Tondo held in
Venice in 2002.
Reading this book, children will
not only find out how elf Tilis
was searching for his hat that was
blown away by the wind, but
perhaps will even help find it. For
that they will just need to closely
examine vivacious illustrations by
the young artist, Laisvydė Šalčiūtė
that help develop children’s observation and imagination.
Target reader: 2–4 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2004. – 24 p.
isBn 9955-584-70-x
Target reader: 3–5 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2005. – 24 p.
isBn 9955-23-0003-7
Target reader: 3–7 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2010. – 24 p.
isBn 978-9955-23-443-2
A RED BALL
Illustration by Laisvydė Šalčiūtė
42
43
picture books
Romualdas Žilinskas
Saulius Žukas
Lina Žutautė
Vabalų puota
Uodas
THE FEAST
Illustrated by Algė Varnaitė
THE MOSQUITO
Illustrated by Junko Iga
and Džiugas Katinas
Kakė Makė ir Netvarkos
nykštukas
This is a cheerful poem about the
fly and mosquito wedding attended
by many insect guests. The most
important here are colorful, humorous, and dynamic illustrations.
Artist Algė Varnaitė awarded each
of the characters with very distinct
and slightly cartoonish features.
The text of the poem is very simple
and could be easily memorized and
used in school plays.
Target reader: 6–9 years old
Šviesa, Vilnius, 2006. – 72 p.
isBn 5-430-04442-3
Poor mosquito could barely avoid
a certain death after he accidentally flew inside a car that people
were driving. The most important
accent of this book is especially
ingenious illustrations, which
stimulate observation, imagination
and creativity in both, children and
adults. Look closely and you will
see what extraordinary trees and
other plants can be created with
the help of forks, cucumbers and
other commonplace things.
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2005. – 24 p.
isBn 9955-584-74-2
KAKĖ MAKĖ AND THE ELF
OF DISORDER
Illustrated by the author
Kakė Makė is the nickname of a
little girl, Kornelia. Kakė Makė
is a cheerful little girl. However,
she has one problem – she does
not like to pick up her toys and
put them in place. “I am not a toy
picker-upper”, announces Kornelia.
Unexpectedly, her toys are taken
away by the Elf of Disorder. Kakė
Makė has to accomplish three
things before she can get her toys
back. She gets her toys back, but
then the Elf of Disorder turns his
attention to her dad’s things… Lina
Žutautė’s illustrations and text
supplement each other and create
an unobtrusively didactic story for
preschoolers.
Target reader: 4–9 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2010. – 36 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-765-7
KAKĖ MAKĖ AND THE ELF OF DISORDER
Illustration by Lina Žutautė
44
45
picture books
lithuanian folk tale
folklore
Devyni broliai ir jų sesuo
Elenytė
Mįslės
NINE BROTHERS AND THEIR SISTER
ELENYTĖ
Illustrated by Ieva Juknytė
Elenytė leaves in search of her vanished brothers. She is prevented
from her search by a horrible witch,
who disguises herself as Elenytė
and finds the brothers. However,
they recognize the treacherous
witch and punish her. This is a
traditional folk tale that deals with
the battle between good and evil.
Illustrator, Ieva Juknytė supplemented the book with her original
drawings depicting the characters
and the events from unexpected
cinematographic angles.
RIDDLES
Illustrated by Irena DaukšaitėGuobienė
An ingeniously illustrated collection of Lithuanian folk riddles.
This book was selected as the most
beautiful children’s book of 2009
by the Lithuanian chapter of ibby.
Target reader: 5–12 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2008. – 51 p.
isBn 978-9986-34-201-4
Target reader: 4–7 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 43 p.
isBn 9955-595-56-6
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
literary fairy tales and fantasy
Gintarė Adomaitytė
Gintarė Adomaitytė
Jonas Avyžius
Gintaras Beresnevičius
Rimantas Černiauskas
Rimantas Černiauskas
Karuselė
Vėjų miesto pasakos
Aštuonetas iš Trepsės namų
Kaukų šeimynėlė
Slieko pasaka
Vaikai ir vaiduokliai
THE CAROUSEL
Illustrated by Rimvydas Kepežinskas
TALES FROM THE CITY OF WINDS
Illustrated by Daiva Kairevičiūtė
THE EIGHT FROM TREPSĖ’S HOME
Illustrated by Birutė Cvirkienė
THE KAUKAI FAMILY
Illustrated by Lina Dūdaitė
AN EARTHWORM’S TALE
Illustrated by Goda Jackutė
CHILDREN AND GHOSTS
Illustrated by Goda Jackutė
The book contains twelve short
tales, each of which refers to one
of the months of the year. The
author is as if turning the wheel, a
carousel of stories and plots. Her
fantastic stories are chiefly concerned with personal experience of
her characters, and are characterised by contemplation of specific
objects or phenomena rather than
by external action. The narrative
is poetic and intimate. Sometimes
one hears a tune of laughter, but
a state of longing and aesthetical
contemplation is more prevalent,
“that gentle sadness”, as the author
herself puts it. Gintarė Adomaitytė
is not a stranger to Andersen’s fairy
tale tradition.
The ten tales presented in this
book are both quite independent
and linked. They relate to each
other through their setting – the
City of Winds. Also, most of the
characters, such as Biggest Wind,
Little Wind the Pry, and Little Wind
the Tearaway, know each other. For
instance, one of the tales introduces Silent Shoemaker, whereas
another one contains a mention of
his daughter Sandgrain for whom
“every thing in town amounts
to a sound”. These fairy tales are
playful and witty, but also include
some nonsense elements as well
as allegorical allusions. Otherwise,
the texts are straightforward and
transparent.
This is a fairly traditional domestic
fantasy, a toy story, which has
become one of the most popular
classical books of Lithuanian
children's literature. A group of toys
have escaped from a bad 5-year-old
girl, who had not taken proper care
of them, in a hope to get to a very
good girl who would wash their
clothes and be lulling them to sleep.
The travel of the toys is full of adventure, resulting in a dynamic plot.
Toy characters’ action provides
examples to follow, representing
the values of good conduct. There
is one character only who is truly a
bad guy. Thus, although educative
in its intent, this book avoids overt
moralizing and is far from boring.
In this tale, earthworms, children,
and hawks are acting on equal
terms. From the very first sentence,
readers are introduced to a world
turned upside down: “Once upon
a time children were good and
obedient, whereas teachers were
naughty and lazy.” Children hurry
to school, but teachers want to
hide from them… This makes the
book as comic as it is nonsensical.
As a typical nonsense fantasy, a
plot emerges from short and rather
independent fragments, but in the
end everything fits into a cohesive
and coherent whole. In 2008,
young readers themselves selected
this book as the most popular book
of the year.
Target reader: 7–10 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2007. – 47 p.
incl. cd
isBn 978-9955-16-183-7
Target reader: 6–9 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2003. – 47 p.
isBn 9955-512-38-7
Target reader: 4–8 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 128 p.
isBn 978-9986-02-768-3
Translated into Ukrainian
and Bulgarian
Gintaras Beresnevičius was a
scholar of religions and mythology.
In this literary fantasy he makes
use of the curious characters of
Lithuanian mythology which must
be particularly close to a child’s
world. The portrayal of those characters is often based on the genuine
descriptions contained in mythology, however, situations and events
are invented by the writer in order
to make the plot attractive to young
children. A childish spirit manifests
itself especially effectively in the
characters of brother and sister
Kaukučiai (little sprites). The book
is intended to share important
knowledge, as well as provide
aesthetic pleasure. The spirited
illustration work for this book by
Lina Dūdaitė was awarded in 2010
by the Lithuanian ibby Section.
The author returns to the characters he introduced in his previous
book, An Earthworm’s Tale. There
is, however, one new character,
and important one at that: a small
ghost. He appears in a small boy
Petriukas’s room. Curiously, the
ghost is not seen by anyone else
except his new friend, Petriukas.
But soon the ghost attracts the attention of the earthworm Zigmutis
as well. The quiet girl Ievutė, it appears, can see the ghost as well. It is
well known that ghosts only appear
to those who believe in them. Unexpectedly, teachers begin to take
interest in ghosts as well, apparently in a hope to make their school
famous. This witty and humorous
story featuring supernatural elements will make all its readers, thus
not just children, smile.
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Versus aureus, Vilnius, 2007. – 87 p.
isBn 978-9955-699-76-7
Target reader: 6–8 years old
Nieko Rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 78 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-69-8
48
49
literary fairy tales and fantasy
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Versus aureus, Vilnius, 2009. – 120 p.
isBn 978-9955-34-225-0
Liudas Dovydėnas
Leonardas Gutauskas
Nijolė Indriūnaitė
Nijolė Jankutė
Marius Jonutis
Gyveno kartą karalius
Paskutinė Čepkelių ragana
Baltos pasakos
Kelionė į Septintą stotį
Kirminas paukštis
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE LIVED
A KING
Illustrated by Aušra Čapskytė
THE LAST WITCH OF ČEPKELIAI
Illustrated by the author
WHITE TALES
Illustrated by Aušra BagočiūnaitėPaukštienė
JOURNEY TO STATION 7
Illustrated by Nijolė VedegytėPalubinskienė
THE WORM BIRD
Illustrated by the author
Nijolė Indriūnaitė is director and
an actress of a puppet theatre. Her
work is based on tales by Charles
Perault, Grimm Brothers, Hans
Christian Andersen and Vladimir
Odoyevsky. However, the author
does not just reiterate those plots.
Rather, referring to situations
that are pretty well-known from
the famous fairy tales, she picks
up some of the motifs, developing them and encouraging a new
understanding. Pieces presented
in this book are aimed at inspiring a highly aesthetic and poetic
theatrical performance. One can
stage such performance in one’s
own imagination as well, however,
just by reading this book.
A girl named Karilė joins the good
witch Teodora in a journey on a
lemonade bottle to a TV station
hosting Channel 7, with the aim of
letting this TV channel know that
awful programmes for children
should not be shown. The author
of this fantasy lived in the United
States when the book appeared in
1973. In addition to great adventures, the book contains some didactic elements. Its young readers
(the main target being those living
aborad) are discouraged from
neglecting their mother tongue,
so that they can avoid mistakes in
their speech. Karilė finds herself in
the Declension-Free Land, where
she meets Uncle Verb and other
characters, thereby being reminded
of all the rules of grammar.
This book initially appeared abroad
in 1947, when the author was living
in exile in Germany. He started
recollecting tales from his childhood because he needed something to tell to his own children. All
fourteen stories are reminiscent of
folk tales about animals (fables) as
well as of fairy tales, but otherwise
remain rather different from them,
because the author provides the
familiar motifs with a brand new
content. In Dovydėnas’s writing,
the influence of Hans Christian
Andersen can be felt.
First-former Alvydas gives an
account of his encounter with a
witch living in Čepkeliai Reserve.
The witch reminded the boy about
folk tales, and took him to a flight
over a swamp. Alvydas offered
the witch help in defeating the
Devil. This literary tale embeds
familiar folk tale characters in
a modern environment. The
writer’s suggestion seems to be
that the work of imagination and
a colourful world of fairy tales
provide a necessary counterweight
to everyday life which may appear
boring and gray.
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2004. – 144 p.
isBn 9955-512-55-5
Target reader: 8 –9 years old
Mažasis Vyturys, Vilnius, 2002. – 28 p.
isBn 9955-05-049-7
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2008. – 154 p.
incl. dvd
isBn 978-609-401-012-5
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
50
51
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2007. – 152 p.
isBn 978-9955-16-162
literary fairy tales and fantasy
This is a very unusual book by an
artist and writer. It consists of two
layers. Every second spread is coloured and tells an allegorical story
about a worm who asked a bird
to teach him how to fly. Whereas
the monochrome spreads contain
questions about the worm story, as
well as practical assignments for
readers and explanation of some of
the words used in the story. However, not the primary, but some
unexpected and possible meanings
of words are explicated. This
exploratory or even philosophical
dimension of the book encourages
young readers to think actively, and
to observe the world surrounding
them as well as themselves.
Target reader: 14–16 years old
Tyto alba, Vilnius, 2009. – 96 p.
isBn 978-9986-16-686-3
Marius Jonutis
Paulius Juodišius
Nijolė Kepenienė
Slibinas Jurgis ir kitos istorijos
Puškutis ir žaliojo rutuliuko
paslaptis
Po riestainio saule
THE DRAGON JURGIS AND OTHER
STORIES
Illustrated by the author
PUFF AND THE SECRET OF
THE GREEN BALL
Illustrated by the author
This is the third book by the
renowned artist. It contains three
fairy tales based on the Bible, ancient Lithuanian tales, and stories
from Antiquity. An intellectual and
playful narrator wittily interprets
well-known motifs and provokes
readers of all ages to think. In the
stories, some readers will recognize
their own unbridled imagination
and enjoyment in asking serious
adults to answer inconvenient
questions and sometimes to give
even more inconvenient answers;
still others will have an opportunity to cast a fresh look upon
everyday mundane things through
the eyes of a child untarnished
with preconceived notions.
Puff belongs to the species of small
and agile cuddlies. They live on
the branches of the oak tree which
grows on an island. They believe
that their island is but the whole
world. But how about that green
ball, from whence is it? Little Puff
puts out to sea in a search for an
answer. After having been exposed
to a great danger and challenged
by adventures, Puff frees from oppression a community of fantastic
creatures Liumai, but refuses to
become their king and travels back
home. This dynamic, but not complicated fantasy tale is furnished
with plenty of illustration by the
author.
Target reader: 15–17 years old
Tyto alba, Vilnius, 2010. – 208 p.
isBn 978-9986-16-795-2
Target reader: 8–9 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2009. – 216 p.
isBn 978-609-401-030-9
THE DRAGON JURGIS AND OTHER STORIES
Illustration by Marius Jonutis
52
53
literary fairy tales and fantasy
UNDER THE SUN OF PANCAKE
Illustrated by Šarūnė Kepenytė
Nijolė Kepenienė’s short tales are
reminiscent of writers such as
Donald Bisset or Miloš Macourek,
or even of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So
Stories. They deal with highly paradoxical situations, abounding in
personifications of things that you
would never suspect of being capable to be presented that way, where
even the most mundane of animals
tend to behave in highly unusual
ways (for one, a cow catches a
“disease of watches”). The author
has significantly enriched and
deepened the interpretation of the
stylistics of nonsense tradition in
Lithuanian children’s literature.
Target reader: 6–8 years old
Libra Memelensis, Klaipėda, 2001. –
64 p.
isBn 9955-9436-0-2
Vytautas V. LandsBergis
Vytautas V. LandsBergis
Vytautas V. LandsBergis
Arklio Dominyko meilė
Obuolių pasakos ir kriaušių
Rudnosiuko istorijos
DOMINIC THE HORSE IN LOVE
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach
TALES OF APPLES AND PEARS
Illustrated by Rimvydas Kepežinskas
RUDNOSIUKAS’S STORIES
Illustrated by Marius Jonutis
A horse named Dominic falls
in love with a nice, albeit a bit
whimsical cornflower. Then winter
comes, and Dominic hides the
cornflower under a stone and takes
off to Africa determined to find
the cornflower’s homeland. While
travelling, Dominic encounters
a white bear, a crocodile, a camel
as well as other characters. In
developing the features of those
characters, as he depicts a journey
full of surprises, the writer conveys
to his young readers a message
about friendship, loyalty and love.
In this fantasy, tale, paradox, nonsense, poetry, and a rather open
expression of moral values co-exist
harmoniously.
The first edition of this book appeared in 1999 and was somewhat
of a shock to readers in Lithuania,
but soon became a household book
read by all members of a family.
The story is full of ambiguities,
allusions, wordplay, irony, and
paradoxes. The plot is fed by several lines, each of which concerns
something “impossible”: an apple
named Antanas falls in love with
Frost, a crow dreams to marry
King Vytautas the Great, but only
manages to become the wife of a
sparrow named Alioša… The writer
skilfully exploits folkloric motifs as
well as literary clichés. This fantasy
tale has become a path-breaking
work in the history of Lithuanian
literature for children.
This is a series of short stories,
which are independent, but also
linked, about a teddy named
Rudnosiukas (Brown Nose), his
friends and acquaintances, and
the adventures they go through.
Nonsense dominates all the stories.
The characters of the book reflect
wisely, indeed sometimes too
wisely, on their deeds. But this
provides even more fun for readers. The first edition of this book
was selected as the Best Book for
Children by the Lithuanian section
of ibby in 1993.
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2004. – 143 p.
isBn 9955-9543-1-0
Translated into Swedish, 2006
DOMINIC THE HORSE IN LOVE
Illustration by Sigutė Ach
54
55
Target reader: from 11 years
Dominicus Lituanus, Vilnius, 2008. –
95 p.
isBn 978-9955-811-06-0
literary fairy tales and fantasy
Target reader: from 9 years
Vaga, Vilnius, 2004. – 159 p.
isBn 5-415-01766-6
Vytautas V. LandsBergis
Aldona LioBytė
Selemonas Paltanavičius
Vytautas Petkevičius
Sigitas Poškus
Kazys Saja
Tinginių pasakos
Pasaka apie narsią Vilniaus
mergaitę ir galvažudį
Žaliabarzdį
Velniukas ir vieversiukas
Gilės nuotykiai Ydų šalyje
Vieną kartą
Jei nutrauksim sliekui koją
THE DEVIL AND THE SKYLARK
Illustrated by Sigita Populaigienė
ACORN’S ADVENTURES IN THE LAND
OF VICES
Illustrated by Gintaras Jocius
ONCE UPON A TIME
Illustrated by Rasa Joni
IF WE TEAR OUT AN EARTHWORM’S LEG
Illustrated by Stasys Eidrigevičius
“It’s almost impossible to tell a tale
from life. What makes humans
different from animals is their
ability to laugh, to dream, to love
and to create,” says the author of
this book. This one puts together
five of his previous books. In all the
short tales, readers are addressed
in a cheerful and perky manner as
if to teach them to laugh, to dream
and to love. The author is not
stranger to nonsense, paradox, and
wordplay. But some of the tales,
especially longer ones, take on a
more serious tone.
The first edition of this book
appeared in 1978, when children’s
literature in Lithuania began to
address difficult and even politically dangerous issues. The main
character of the book, a teenager,
resettles from primary world into
a secondary world, where he is
trying to find his missing father,
who disappeared many years ago.
Princess Felicija’s manor serves
here as an allegory of the totalitarian system. Appetite for power and
wealth, abjection, subservience
and meanness are issues that have
been a matter of serious concern
at all times.
LAZY TALES
Illustrated by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
This book is explicitly didactic,
but the charming illustrations
and a witty narrative provide
aesthetic delight, at the same time
as they “educate”. Albinas Boletus,
a distracted picker, ends up in
the Land of Lazybones, where the
fundamental law reads: do not
work. After having spent there ten
days of a week (yes, a week consists
of ten days in that country, lasting
one year, and each of them is
named after some food), Albinas
escapes to his homeland where he
champs to get any job, the harder
the better.
Target reader: 7–9 year old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2006. – 40 p.
isBn 9955-683-06-6
Translated into Latvian, 2008
A TALE ABOUT A BRAVE GIRL
FROM VILNIUS AND THE GREENBEARDED KILLER
Illustrated by Birutė Žilytė
This book (whose first edition
appeared in 1970) is authored by
two talented women. Birutė Žilytė
received the Golden Apple in
Bratislava in 1969 for her illustration work for this book. Extremely
well-versed in Lithuanian folklore,
Liobytė distinguished herself by
the exceptionally rich and picturesque language of her work. This
is a collection of six literary fairy
tales that combine plots and motifs
of folk tales with the output of the
writer’s personal imagination.
A young imp finds a tiny lark egg
and keeps it as a treasure. Unexpectedly, a “little brother” emerges
from the egg: although very different from the little imp himself, the
little brother seems dear to him,
so the imp is more than happy to
care for him. This literary story
paraphrases nicely some of the folk
images, thereby conveying the idea
of tolerance, including the message
that the “other” may be dear and
worth loving. This book has been
selected by its young readers as the
favourite book in 2006.
Target reader: 6–8 years old
Žara, Vilnius, 2007. – 40 p.
isBn 978-9986-34-174-1
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Žaltvykslė, Vilnius, 2007. – 104 p.
isBn 978-9986-06-289-9
Translated into Slovak and Czech
languages
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
This fantasy’s charm is due primarily to a believable representation
of a child’s character as the main
protagonist. Born on a branch of an
old oak, Acorn is happy, energetic
and curious, but also mischievous
and naughty. Sent away to the Land
of Vices, he begins to understand
negative aspects of his own
behaviour. The dynamic plot of the
fantasy consists in a re-education
process of the main character.
However, in some episodes the
writer uses Aesopian way of speaking to allude to social and moral
issues. This book, written in 1964,
is a classic example of Lithuanian
children’s literature. The present
edition is the fifth one.
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2009. – 252 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-501-1
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2009. – 151 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-370-3
Translated into Russian, Estonian
and Latvian
56
57
literary fairy tales and fantasy
Target reader: 6–12 years old
Vaga, Vilnius, 2006. – 199 p.
isBn 5-415-01888-3
Mykolas Sluckis
Mykolas Sluckis
Renata Šerelytė
Urtė Uliūnė
Daiva Vaitkevičiūtė
Vytautė Žilinskaitė
Milžinai nenorėjo karaliais būti
Skrido bitė vakarienės
Trenktukė, liūno vaikas
Miegančios boružės
Marius Pietaris ir Burtų knyga
Kelionė į Tandadriką
THE GIANTS DID NOT WANT TO
BE KINGS
Illustrated by Edita Namajūnienė
A BEE WAS FLYING FOR SUPPER
Illustrated by Sofija Vainilaitienė
DAFTIE, CHILD OF THE MARSHES
Illustrated by Irmina Dūdėnienė
SLEEPING LADYBIRDS
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach
MARIUS PIETARIS AND A MAGIC BOOK
Illustrated by Neringa Žukauskaitė
A TRIP TO TANDADRIKA
Illustrated by Gintaras Jocius
The book contains six short tales
which are rather reminiscent of
folk tales. However, as he tells
about the adventures of a bee, and
about the election of animals’ King,
or about the relationship between
the devil and a blacksmith, the
writer invents plots of his own.
The stories are quite simple but
rather dynamic. The writer does
not resort to moralising, allowing
his young readers to judge on the
events and adventures on their
own. The first edition of this book
appeared in 1969.
The main character of this story,
Daftie is called a daughter of a
witch, so she appears to be a little
witch herself. However, there
are characters in this story that
are hard to specify, being simply
thought-up figures. However,
some realistic characters also
feature in the events told, such as
Daftie’s mother who tries to sell or
barter her daughter to someone.
Daftie is determined to resist. She
is especially hostile towards her
mother’s close relationship with
Devilkins. Events and situations
in this novella-tale change rapidly,
taking on a new configuration as
if in a kaleidoscope. The book is
fraught with eccentricity and irony,
and thus akin to the tradition of
nonsense in terms of style.
“Everywhere around there are
crowds of small creatures – in the
garden, in the woods, on the sidewalk and even at people’s homes.
One day the idea came to my mind:
those little ones also have their life
stories”, the young author of this
book says. It presents eight literary
fairy tales whose main characters
are creatures such as dragonflies,
bumblebees, ladybirds, spiders etc.
These fairy tales are highly poetic,
radiating wisdom and playing with
allusions to human relationships
and lifestyles.
The title of this fantasy alludes,
of course, to the popular Harry
Potter. Daiva Vaitkevičiūtė is a
young writer, and this book of her
presents something like a Lithuanian version of the famous tale,
but this is not to say that it lacks in
originality. In the secondary world,
there exists a wizard school. The
main character, a teenage girl called
Margarita, is a young witch. She
meets the twelve-year-old Marius,
who comes from the primary,
i. e. “real” world. A dynamic and
intriguing plot ensues. The writer is
really good at creating a mysterious
atmosphere. She skilfully exploits
classical literary motifs and folk
tale elements. The book is rich in
inter-textual allusions, among others to such authors as Michael Ende
and Otfried Preusler.
This is one of the most significant
books of the second half of the
twentieth century in Lithuanian
children’s literature. The tale
depicts a trip of six toys to different
planets that allegorically represent
different lifestyles and problems
of different people. The final destination is called Tandadrika, the
“homeland of games, the planet of
toys”, meaning the land of dreams
and happiness. Unfortunately, the
travellers stop short of reaching
this planet. In this fantasy, the
topics such as friendship, sacrifice,
and altruism are highlighted.
The main characters represent
different stages of human age. In
terms of emotional impact, the
work is rather diverse, comprising
elements as different as a cutting
satire and a subtle pathos.
Target reader: 10–13 years old
Rosma, Vilnius, 2004. – 288 p.
isBn 9986-00-407-1
Target reader: 9–12 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2003. – 296 p.
isBn 9955-08-411-1
This novel-length literary fairy tale
initially appeared in 1958 and has
since become a classic of Lithuanian children’s literature. A number
of motifs stemming from folk tales
and legends are present in this tale.
The main character, a fisherman’s
daughter, Neringa, grows as tall
as a giant. In her defence against
a sea dragon who is proposing
himself to her, Neringa forms a belt
of stones, earth and sand in a bid
to enclose a piece of the sea. This
is how that world-famous corner
of nature, the Curonian Spit, was
formed, according to this tale. Later,
Neringa falls in love with a talented
craftsman, Naglis, who is also as
tall as a giant.
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2004. – 111 p.
isBn 9955-512-57-1
Translated into German
Target reader: 5–7 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2008. – 44 p.
isBn 978-9955-734-69-7
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 112 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-34-6
Target reader: 8–10 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2009. – 119 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-220-1
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
58
59
literary fairy tales and fantasy
Justinas Žilinskas
Algimantas ZurBa
Gugis – girių kaukas ir žmonių
draugas
Raganaitė Džilda
THE WOOD SPRITE GUGIS, A FRIEND
FOR HUMANS
Illustrated by Neringa Meškauskaitė
This fantasy book is set in times
when Lithuanians were struggling
with the Crusaders. The writer goes
so far as to indicate an exact year:
1368. As people fight the Crusaders,
a descendant of a sprite family,
Gugis, alongside other characters
from Lithuanian mythology, offers
his help. Here come beings such as
a bugaboo named Munamukis, a
kite called Vipštas, a basilisk Šiuša…
The world of history and the world
of myths merge.
Target reader: 11–13 years old
Tyto alba, Vilnius, 2006. – 304 p.
isBn 9986-16-493-7
THE YOUNG WITCH DŽILDA
Illustrated by Audronė Klimienė
Five-year-old Titas meets a girl
called Džilda, who appears to be
a witch. They become friends and,
with the help of Titas’s grandfather,
start fighting the polluters of the
forest, as well as drunkards and
harriers. The realistic and the fantastic storylines become entangled
here, but the whole story remains
consistent and plain throughout.
Issues of ecology and ideas on
the preservation of the natural
environment are addressed in a
highly suggestive manner.
realistic stories
Target reader: 7–9 years old
Lithuanian Writers’ Union
Publishers, Vilnius, 2007. – 90 p.
isBn 9986-39-466-x
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
60
61
realistic stories
Gintarė Adomaitytė
Akvilina Cicėnaitė
Kristina Gudonytė
Ona Jautakė
Jurgis Kunčinas
Edita Milaševičiūtė
Laumžirgių namai
Viskas apie mano šeimą
Blogos mergaitės dienoraštis
Kai aš buvau Kleo
Baltųjų sūrių naktis
Įsimylėjėlių stovykla
THE HOUSE OF DRAGONFLIES
Illustrated by Andrius Repšys
ALL ABOUT MY FAMILY
Cover design by Jurga Šarmavičiūtė
DIARY OF A BAD GIRL
Illustrated by Indrė Leler
WHEN I WAS KLEO
Illustrated by Aida Ranonytė
THE WHITE CHEESE NIGHT
Illustrated by Živilė Šimėnienė
A CAMP FOR LOVERS
Cover designed by Jurga
Šarmavičiūtė
The main character of this book is
a 14-year-old girl, Migle. She tells
the life and love stories of three
sisters, one of which is Migle’s
mother. The action takes place
in a small town on a lake. People,
gathered in one house, try to get
to know each other and like each
other. The style of the story is very
unique: situations of a mystery
story are presented in a lyric and
poetic fashion. The author is more
interested in creating the atmosphere and the mood rather than in
solving the mystery.
This is the first book by this author,
written for a special series of books
for teenage girls, entitled The
Girl League. The main character,
Monika, is “almost thirteen”. Her
family is a very modern one:
mother, stepfather, stepsister, and
half brother. The book is a classical
example of popular fiction: a few
intertwined plots, easy and playful
tone of story telling. However,
several important problems and
ideas, such as tolerance, the need
for self-confidence, and the ability
to look at the world with open eyes,
are discussed.
The main character of the book
is a 15-year old girl, Kotryna. Her
parents are divorced and her
mother falls in love with a young
and talented violinist. Kotryna is
not uninterested in the violinist herself… The action of the
story is very intense. The author
ingeniously combined elements of
traditional situation comedy and a
mystery story. She also brought out
the eternal psychological conditions of teenagers: egocentricity,
exaggerated irritability, loneliness,
and the fear of being not needed.
In 2010, this book by Gudonytė was
picked by teenage readers as the
most popular book of the year.
To some extent, this book can be
called a school story. The main
character is a 12-year-old fifth
grader, Kleo. He is a dutiful boy
who has principles and courage to
oppose the pressures and bullying
of his peers. It is impressive that
the hero is a strong person, but
he is not being idealized. During
summer vacation, Kleo encounters even more complex social
and moral problems of adults.
Characteristic of the story is subtle
psychology and lyricism. However,
the plot is not monotonous as
it is intensified by fragments of
adventures and even mystery.
The story is based on the author’s
memories from his teenage
years. The plot is made of rather
autonomous, but interrelated
episodes, fragments from life. The
writer looks into the past from a
new political and human context
through the eyes of an adult.
Therefore, subdued lyricism, irony
and humor are interchanged in the
story. Young readers of the present
day have an opportunity to laugh
and at the same time experience
the atmosphere of Soviet times
(the post-Stalin decade). They
understand the absurdity of the
Communist ideology in which the
generation of their grandfathers
and parents grew up.
Target reader: 13–15 years old
Agora, Vilnius, 2001. – 96 p.
isBn 9986-633-49-4
Target reader: 13–16 years old
Alma litera, Vilnius, 2009. – 159 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-242-3
Target reader: 13–15 years old
Laisvos valandos, Vilnius, 2009. – 225 p.
isBn 978-609-410-004-8
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
Target reader: 12–14 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2009. – 86 p.
isBn 978-9955-16-301-5
62
63
Target reader: 13–16 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2006. – 176 p.
isBn 9955-16-073-x
realistic stories
The main character of the book
is a 14- year old girl, Ugne. She
spends a few weeks of her summer
vacation in a camp by marshes,
with her peers and without parents.
During that time she realizes that
a person’s looks and fashionable
clothes do not tell a whole lot about
him. Her idol, handsome Liutauras,
turns out to be far less worthy spiritually than a “guy from a marsh”,
Dovydas. This story, written by a
young author, belongs to the series
“The Girl League”. It is an intriguing
story; its plot is dynamic and witty.
In 2009, teenage readers awarded
this book the first place.
Target reader: 13–15 years old
Alma litera, Vilnius, 2009. – 142 p.
isBn 978-9955-24-747-0
Remigijus Misiūnas
Gendrutis Morkūnas
Gendrutis Morkūnas
Sutrumpintas meilės terapijos
kursas
Blusyno pasakojimai
Grįžimo istorija
FLEA STORIES
Illustrated by Lina Žutautė
A COMEBACK STORY
Illustrated by Lina Žutautė
This is a book of 31 short stories, in
which a strange world is depicted.
One person always carries a nutcracker with him in his briefcase…
A flower shop girl turns into a cat…
A boy, who is in love with a girl, can
only win her heart when he begins
writing poems about stomach and
liver… Frozen fish start singing in
a circus… In other words, things
that are not real from time to time
turn up in the real world and make
readers laugh. However, they also
make readers wonder about how
mysterious our world is!
After spending 12 years in
Children’s Land (we do not find
out anything about this land)
Vilija comes back to her family,
her school, and the “real” world.
It is hard for her to adapt, because
she is different… The majority of
images in this novel are depicted
according to the principles of psychological realism. However, very
important are the forms of conditional expression – fragments of
magical realism, visions, etc. The
narrator philosophizes, remembers
tings from his past, is ironic, and
this way he makes readers think.
The Lithuanian section of ibby
awarded A Comeback Story the title
of the best book for children and
teenagers in 2007.
ABRIDGED COURSE OF LOVE THERAPY
Illustrated by Aušra Marija
Misiūnaitė
“Thirteen is a strange age,“ the
author states in this book. He
moves back to his own teenage
years when portraying the feelings
and awakening sexuality of a growing child. The action takes place in
a pioneer camp in the 1970s. The
author smiles ironically when he
indirectly states that the feelings
and relationships of teenagers are
eternal and do not depend on a
political system. The author quite
consciously explains the reality of
Soviet life that the generation of
his parents grew under to presentday readers.
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2008. – 136 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-63-6
Target reader: 13–15 years old
Bonus Animus, Vilnius, 2009. – 134 p.
isBn 978-9955-754-17-6
A COMEBACK STORY
Illustration by Lina Žutautė
64
65
realistic stories
Target reader: 12–14 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 216 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-38-4
Gendrutis Morkūnas
Gendrutis Morkūnas
Vytautas Petkevičius
Vytautas Račickas
Vytautas Račickas
Vytautas Račickas
Iš nuomšiko gyvenimo
Velniškai karštos atostogos
Kodėlčius
Baltos durys
Šlepetė
FROM A TENANT’S LIFE
Illustrated by Lina Žutautė
DAMNED HOT HOLIDAYS
Illustrated by Lina Žutautė
MR. CURIOSITY
Illustrated by Ilona Pajarskienė
THE WHITE DOORS
Cover designed by Mikalojus Povilas
Vilutis
Patricija, Antanas, jo tėtis
ir mama
The narrator of this problem novel
is a teenage boy who lives in an
orphanage. A complicated and
merciful life is shown through the
eyes of this boy. In order that the
orphanage would make money, the
residents themselves are rented to
work. Therefore, other teenagers
of the town call them derogatory
names. The main character of the
book is rented by one lady, so he
would be in place of a brother to her
little son, whom she steals from the
father who lives abroad… From that
moment on, the book becomes increasingly intriguing and dramatic.
The author’s philosophy regarding
childhood is well expressed in the
phrase: “the most difficult age for a
person is his childhood.”
A boy by the name of Pijus is on
vacation. He comes to a little village
in the middle of woods. Shortly,
strange things start happening:
vegetables lose their fragrance,
birds disappear. Pijus and his peers
find a strange Creature in a barn.
The Creature spreads heat. The
surrounding in which the action
of the story takes place is quite
realistic. However, the Creature
is absolutely unrealistic and it
destroys the traditional realism,
making us speak of magical realism.
Various interpretations of this story
are possible. However, the most
important idea in the book is the
one of human alienation.
This is a collection of short,
humorous stories. They are so
closely connected that the book
is sometimes called “a short story
of miniatures”. The plots of the
short stories are based on the
constant questioning of a little boy,
and answers given to his questions.
This book was first published
in 1974. Six more editions were
published since.
Target reader: 13–15 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2010. – 156 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-98-8
Target reader: 6–8 years old
Alma litera, Vilnius, 2009. – 112 p.
isBn 978-9986-02-774-4
Target reader: 10–12 years old
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 119 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-77-3
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
This is one of the most recent
problem novels. It deals with the
issue of drug users. The story is
constructed out of very short fragments, which could be understood
as inner monologues or diary
entries. The main character, Genas,
tells most of the stories. Sometimes
though, his sister, grandfather,
and mother speak. The road to
drug addiction is depicted very
delicately. The life in school and
in a drug rehabilitation clinic is
shown. Family life is depicted. Very
important is the line of love. As is
typical of contemporary fiction for
young people, there is some erotica
in the book.
PATRICIA, ANTHONY, AND HIS FATHER
AND MOTHER
Illustrated by Ramunė Bateikienė
The most important plot line is
the endeavor of a second grader,
Antanas, to help find his father a
new wife. A teacher in his school
by the name of Jurate resembles
his deceased mother… Antanas is
helped by his classmate Patricia.
The action in the book is dynamic
and intriguing. The characters are
vivid; the narration is playful; there
are many comic situations and
jokes in the book.
Target reader: 8–10 years old
V. Račickas, Vilnius, 2009. – 248 p.
isBn 978-9955-800-97-2
Target reader: 15–17 years old
V. Račickas, Vilnius, 2010. – 211 p.
isBn 978-609-408-061-6
66
67
realistic stories
THE SLIPPER
Illustrated by Ramunė Bateikienė
Characteristics of a problem novel
and popular fiction are harmoniously put together in this book.
The main motif is a disintegrating
family. A second grader, Edvardukas, is very unhappy because
his gather left. One slipper that
his father accidentally left behind
becomes a symbol of boy’s connection with his father. The same
slipper participates in a lottery announced by a large shopping mall,
and there are people who know
that it is a “lucky ticket”. The story
has characteristics of a fun-filled
mystery. This is the sixth edition of
the book. There were three sequels
written to this book.
Target reader: 8–10 years old
V. Račickas, Vilnius, 2008. – 160 p.
isBn 9955-425-54-7
Vytautas Račickas
Rimtautas Rimšas
Kazys Saja
Kazys Saja
Daiva Vaitkevičiūtė
Zuika Padūkėlis
Ne Karibų Kruizas
… kurio nieks nemylėjo
Septyni miegantys broliai
Trise prieš mafiją
ZUIKA THE MADCAP
Illustrated by Ramunė Bateikienė
NOT A CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Illustrated by Julius Paliukaitis
THE ONE NOBODY LOVED
Illustrated by Agnius Tarabilda
SEVEN SLEEPING BROTHERS
Illustrated by Giedrius Jonaitis
THREE AGAINST THE MAFIA
Illustrated by Andrius Zakšauskas
This story was published in 1985
and instantly became a classic of
children’s fiction. (This is the fourth
edition of the book). It tells about
an energetic and enthusiastic
teenage boy, Zuika, and his friend,
Vidas. The story is narrated in a
very graceful and lively way; there
are many humorous situations.
Zuika has no support from his family (his father is dead, his mother
drinks) and therefore he cannot
find his place under the sun. At the
end of the book, Zuika dies after
he crashes his motorbike when
driving at a high speed. The author
gives an equal amount of attention
to the worlds of school, family, and
children’s everyday life. This way, a
persuasive picture of a full-fledged
life is created.
The parents of the main character
teenager Ignotas are divorced.
His father leaves on a Caribbean
cruise with his new wife. Ignotas
spends time with his grandfather,
who is a sailor. Both of them sail
on a yacht to Gotland Island in
the Baltic Sea. This is an educational adventure book depicting
marine life. Insensibly, the reader
is introduced to information
about sea and seamanship. Also
insensible, however very powerful
is the process of education and
growing up, which unfolds as the
grandfather communicates with
the grandson.
In this book, the life of squatter
and gangs are shown. However, the
author is mostly interested in the
subject of children living on the
streets. Eight-year-old Sigitas lives
with his stepfather, who constantly
sends him out to the streets to
panhandle. After the stepfather is
killed, Sigitas is left alone on the
street, and later he finds himself
in a boarding school. The story has
characteristics of a mystery and a
crime story. The plot is dynamic
and intriguing. However, it has to
be noted that the author outweighs
the morbid and depressing images
in the book with a happy and
meaningful ending.
The main subject in this story is
that of an adoption. A 13-year-old,
Donatas, suddenly finds out that
his sister, Dagne, is not his real
sister. This explains to him why
he was having all these not-sobrotherly feelings towards Dagne,
and why his parents behaved so
strangely with him. The only close
person to Donatas is his grandfather. The book delicately depicts
teenager’s psychological and physiological maturing and eventual
perception of higher values.
In this story, an orphanage is
depicted. The action takes place
throughout an entire summer.
A new person – teenager Kasparas,
is brought to the orphanage. No
one knows where his parents are.
Side by side with the images of
character’s everyday life, the line of
a mystery story is very important
in the book. There are simple
motives as basketball, popular
music depicted. However, this book
became popular because it shows
convincing relations between the
characters. In 2007, teenage readers
picked this book as the Book of
the Year.
Target reader: 10–13 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2008. – 224 p.
isBn 978-9955-16-230-8
Target reader: 12–14 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2009. – 86 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-267-6
Target reader: 12–14 years old
Magilė, Panevėžys, 2007. – 176 p.
isBn 978-9986-956-48-8
Target reader: 14–16 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 127 p.
isBn 9955-08-696-3
Target reader: 10–12 years old
V. Račickas, Vilnius, 2006. – 240 p.
isBn 9955-466-12-x
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
68
69
realistic stories
Vilė Vėl
Vytautė Žilinskaitė
Parašyk man iš Afrikos
Radinių namelis
WRITE TO ME FROM AFRICA
Illustrated by Aida Janonytė
LOST AND FOUND
Illustrated by Irmina Dūdėnienė
This is a lyric, psychological story
about life in today’s Lithuania.
A second grader, Jonukas is a son
of diplomats. He comes back to
Lithuania from Paris and has to
integrate into his class. The book
delicately tackles such complex
issues as understanding what one’s
native country and native tongue
are. However, there is no publicity
and didactics in the book. Motherchild relations are also important
in the story. Other social issues are
also mentioned. For the coherence
of the style and originality of the
plot, the Lithuanian section of ibby
awarded this book the title of the
best book for children in 2003.
This is a collection of stories
by one of the most renowned
Lithuanian children’s book writers
of the present day. It contains
stories and tales. By creating comic
and sometimes sad situations and
often using Aesopian language, the
writer is able to speak about the
moral issues and problems of the
day, as well as existential matters.
Sensitivity, sympathy, consideration, joy, and sadness are a few of
the motifs that are touched upon
in the stories of this book.
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Alma litera, Vilnius, 2009. – 209 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-491-5
Target reader: 9–11 years old
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2003. – 112 p.
isBn 9955-512-28-8
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
educational books
Vydas Astas
Gintarė Adomaitytė
Dangė ČeBatariūnaitė
Laimutė Dekienė
Žalgiris
Gražuolės vaikai: pasakojimai
apie rašytojus
Lietuvos žmonės
Vaikų enciklopedija
apie Lietuvą
ŽALGIRIS
Illustrated by Rimgaudas Dičius,
Jūratė Dičiuvienė
LITHUANIAN PEOPLE
Illustration by Ula Vaičiūnaitė
This is a photo art album-tale
about the legendary Battle of
Žalgiris (1410) in which joint
Lithuanian and Polish armies
crushed the Teutonic Order. In the
historiography of other countries,
the Battle of Žalgiris is called the
Battle of Tannenberg or the Battle
of Grunwald. The album contains
more than one hundred and fifty
spectacular panoramic vignettes.
The illustrators of this publication
created more than one thousand
dolls and multiple sets with the
help of which they created forcible
illustrations, which convey the
beauty of the story as well as the
spirit of this decisive battle.
Target reader: 6 years and up
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 152 p.
isBn 9955-595-65-5
BELLE ÉPOQUE CHILDREN:
STORIES ABOUT WRITERS
Illustrated by Aistė Lapinskaitė
These are stories about writers who
were born at the beginning of the
20th century, a period called the
Golden Age. The author chose writers of various nationalities, whose
books especially contributed to the
development of children’s culture:
Kazys Boruta, Pamela Travers,
Daniil Charms, Astrid Lindgren,
William Saroyan, Viktor Dragunski,
Tove Jansson, and Walt Disney.
Through the life stories of these
writers, the cultural history of the
20th century is presented from an
original perspective. The stories relate to the political and cultural life
of the time. The book is illustrated
with photographs and pictures.
LITHUANIAN PEOPLE
Illustrated by Ula Vaičiūnaitė
The book belongs to the series
“Elementary Encyclopedia.” It
introduces the five ethnographic
regions of Lithuania and their
people by presenting the history
of the regions, current events and
cultural characteristics – dialects,
customs and traditions, crafts, and
other ethno-cultural heritage. The
second part of the book introduces
the reader to representatives of
other nationalities living in Lithuania, explains the ways of their
arrival in Lithuania, their culture,
and other characteristics.
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 156 p.
isBn 978-9955-38-045-0
Target reader: 12 years and up
Gimtasis žodis, Vilnius, 2006. –
214 p.
isBn 9955-16-115-9
72
73
educational books
CHILDREN’S ENCYCLOPEDIA
ABOUT LITHUANIA
Cover design by Irma Sujetovaitė,
layout by Ramybė Glinskytė
This encyclopedia for children and
their parents introduces many
new facts about the past and the
present of Lithuania. Information
presented in the book is divided
into the following chapters: the
State, History, Nature, People,
Industry, Science, and Culture.
These chapters are further divided
into smaller sections and articles.
The book contains not only specific
information, but also interesting
facts, puzzles, ideas for entertainment, and explanations of
unknown words.
Target reader: 4–12 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 168 p.
isBn 978-9955-24-858-3
Rasa Dikčienė
Vytautas Kandrotas
Vytautas Kandrotas
Žaidžiame teatrą
Lietuviška abėcėlė
Lietuvos istorija
PLAYING THEATRE
Illustrated by Dalia Klimavičiūtė
THE LITHUANIAN ALPHABET
Illustrated by Indrė Argustaitė,
Karina Kandrotaitė, Jovita Karoblytė,
Arvydas Matelis, Monika Mickutė,
Mantas Tumosa, Juozas Valiukas,
and Julius Zelenkevičius
LITHUANIAN HISTORY
Illustrated by Indrė Argustaitė,
Arvydas Matelis, Monika Mickutė,
Mantas Tumosa,
and Juozas Valiukas
This set consists of a book of
stories, paper dolls and their sets,
and a CD. The book contains two
librettos and methodological
advice on how to stage a play.
The CD contains the songs of
the plays, performed by children. This unique book allows
children to stage plays at home.
The librettos and music for the
stories, “A Musician, Devil and
Thunder” and “Kabakšt kabaldakšt”
were written by composer, Rasa
Dikčienė. The dolls were created by
artist Dalia Klimavičiūtė.
Target reader: 4–12 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2007. – 33 p.
with CD
isBn 978-9955-23-117-2
This interactive pop-up book introduces young readers to the wonderful world of letters, in which the
Lithuanian alphabet of 32 letters
is presented. Side by side with an
explanation of the pronunciation
of each letter and interesting facts
about the Lithuanian language
and its letters of the alphabet,
the authors ingeniously present
Lithuanian folklore – more than
one hundred riddles, proverbs, sayings, and tongue-twisters. The book
is richly illustrated and contains
over twenty movable 3d models,
inserts, and lotto games.
Target reader: 5–8 years old
Terra Publica, Kaunas, 2009. – 40 p.
isBn 978-9955-652-46-5
This interactive pop-up book
contains over 30 movable
enclosures that can be opened and
unfolded, three table games, 3d
models that can be glued together
and the most important facts of
Lithuanian history. The Lithuanian
nation is old and glorious. It can
boast of its distinctive language,
interesting customs and way of life,
and rich and spectacular history.
In 2009, Lithuania celebrated its
millennium. The book is intended
for children to learn the facts
of Lithuanian history as they
play, construct and read, either
independently or with the help of
adults.
„Magpie sitting on a sill, cannot
hold her long tail still.“ This small
verse from Lithuanian folklore
describes a well-known bird so
common in Lithuania. The book
is written by a natural scientist
and ornithologist, who invites the
reader to take a closer look at these
birds: find out what they feed on,
where they make their nests, and
meet their colorful relatives that
live in other parts of the world.
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Terra Publica, Kaunas, 2009. – 35 p.
isBn 978-9955-652-43-4
Target reader: 9–13 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2010. – 40 p.
isBn 978-9955-23-336-7
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
Algirdas Knystautas
Šarkos
MAGPIES
Illustrated by Vanda Padimanskaitė
74
75
educational books
Lina Marmaitė-Snitkienė
Selemonas Paltanavičius
Selemonas Paltanavičius
Selemonas Paltanavičius
Selemonas Paltanavičius
Elena Tolvaišienė
Paklausyk, ką šnara vėjas
Vilkai
Aš – lietuvis
Sykiu su upeliu
Tėvai ir vaikai
Sekam pasakas
THE SONG OF THE WIND
Illustrated by Brigita Budrytė
THE WOLVES
Illustrated by Vanda Padimanskaitė
I AM LITHUANIAN
Layout by Jūratė Ruzienė
TOGETHER WITH A BROOK
Layout by Agnė DautartaitėKrutulienė
PARENTS AND CHILDREN
Layout by Laima Prialgauskaitė
TELLING STORIES
Illustrated by Lina EitmantytėValužienė
The book introduces the reader
to the world of nature. The author
combines airy tales with educational texts. In the book, animals
tell the stories about trees of the
world, plants that grow in forests
and meadows of Lithuania, mushrooms, types of birds, and colors
of various animals and insects.
Reading the stories, one can learn
how the names of animals and
plants describe their character or
way of life. The book is amply illustrated with photographs, which
supplement concise educational
texts.
Wolves are often mentioned in
Lithuanian folk songs and tales.
However, the truth is that we do
not know a lot about this inhabitant of Lithuanian forests. Naturalist
Selemonas Paltanavičius invites
the reader to take a closer look
and find out where and how wolf
families live, how they raise their
cubs, and what are the characteristics of wolf hunts. After you find
out more about the ways of this
mysterious beast, you will not have
to shiver with fear upon meeting a
wolf in a forest or hearing his soul
penetrating howl at night.
The book offers a systematic view
of distinct features of Lithuanian
history, nature and culture. The
author presents a warm and
individual insight into Lithuanian
roots and things characteristic only
of the Lithuanian nation and ancestors of Lithuanians. The author
writes about the unique heritage
of Lithuanian nature, Lithuanian
festivals, symbols, customs and
rituals, traditional trades and crafts.
The book is amply illustrated
with colorful photographs and
drawings.
Target reader: 7–11 years old
Lututė, Kaunas, 2008. – 48 p.
isBn 978-9955-37-022-2
Target reader: 9–12 years old
Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2010. – 44 p.
isBn 978-9955-23-433-3
Target reader: 10–13 years old
Terra Publica, Kaunas, 2009. – 72 p.
isBn 978-9955-652-53-3
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
“My First Encyclopedia” is a series
of books for children about nature
and animals, written by a wellknown Lithuanian naturalist, photographer and writer, Selemonas
Paltanavičius. Together With a
Brook belongs to this series. It tells
a story of a river running from its
headwaters to the sea. Tributaries,
wades and swashes, beaver dams,
confluences, water mills and water
power plants are all the things
without which rivers and brooks
would not be able to survive. The
author writes about plants, animals
and fish that the river meets on its
way, scolds environment polluters
and praises people that help the
environment.
“My First Encyclopedia” is a series
of books for children about nature
and animals, written by a wellknown Lithuanian naturalist, photographer and writer, Selemonas
Paltanavičius. Parents and Children
belongs to this series. In the animal
world the situation is very similar
to that in the world of humans. The
offspring of animals are born small
and helpless. The author of the
books writes about how immensely
parents love their children and take
are of them until they mature and
are able to live an independent life.
The book tells about how offspring
of animals, birds, fish and reptiles
grow, mature, learn to survive, and
communicate among themselves
and with their parents.
Target reader: 9–12 years old
Šviesa, Kaunas, 2006. – 36 p.
isBn 5-430-04181-5
Target reader: 9–12 years old
Šviesa, Kaunas, 2008. – 36 p.
isBn 978-5-430-05215-7
76
77
educational books
This is a book of musical stories,
songs and plays, in which the texts
created by the authors as well as
folklore, are introduced together
with music. Composer Elena
Tolvaišienė wrote music to the folk
songs and lyrics of poets Kostas
Kubilinskas and Anzelmas Matutis.
Illustrator Lina EitmantytėValužienė did her best to make the
world of the characters attractive
and colorful. The book is supplemented with entertaining puzzles
and tasks that make children not
only sing, but also think and find a
way into a tale.
Target reader:5–8 years old
Kronta, Vilnius, 2006. – 162 p.
incl. CD
isBn ismn m-706253-17-6
Andrius Vaišnys
Zigmas Vitkus
Konstitucijos istorija vaikams
Lietuvos istorija
THE HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTION
FOR KIDS
Illustrated by Agnes Indre
LITHUANIAN HISTORY
Illustrated by Rasa Joni
In order to explain what a family,
a home, a nation and the rights
and responsibilities of citizens are
in a way that would be understandable to children, journalist Andrius
Vaišnys wrote a story about a man
who was able to change the world.
Even though the characters of the
story are made up, the facts are
true. The illustrator of the book did
a great job illustrating every page
of the book and presenting the
complex history of the Constitution attractively to the reader.
Target reader: 10–13 years old
Valstybės žinios, Vilnius, 2003. – 44 p.
isBn 9986-18-108-9
The book belongs to the series
“Elementary Encyclopedia.” It contains numerous facts, phenomena,
and events in Lithuanian history,
starting with the time when the
first inhabitants came to live in
the territory of the Baltic countries,
and finishing with current events.
The material is presented in
chronological order and covers not
only historical events and prominent personalities, but the art and
everyday life of the people in the
past. The book is amply illustrated
with attractive and entertaining
pictures and photographs.
Target reader: 8–11 years old
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2008. – 163 p.
isBn 9789955380474
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
world literature for children, illustrated by Lithuanian artists
78
79
world literature for children, illustrated by Lithuanian artists
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Natalie BaBBitt
Mergaitė su degtukais
Coliukė
Amžinieji Takiai
lille pige med svovlstikkerne
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL
Illustrated by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
tommelise
THUMBELINA
Illustrated by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
TUCK EVERLASTING
Illustrated by Aida Janonytė
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2005. – 32 p.
isBn 9955-9543-5-3
Awarded in 2005 for the Best
Aesthetic Quality of Illustration
Work.
The winner of the Best Artistic
Quality Illustration Award 2002
in the category of books targeting
teenagers.
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2005. – 33 p.
isBn 9955-9543-8-8
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2002. – 144 p.
isBn 9955-08-210-0
THUMBELINA
Illustration by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
80
81
world literature
Waldemar Bonsels
Eleanor Farjeon
Frank Lyman Baum
Bitė Maja ir jos nuotykiai
Mažoji siuvėja
die Biene maja und ihre aBenteuer
THE ADVENTURES OF MAJA,
THE HONEYBEE
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach
THE LITTLE BOOKROOM
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach
Nuostabusis Ozo šalies
burtininkas
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2008. – 228 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-65-0
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2010. – 215 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-90-2
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
Illustrated by Edvardas Jazgevičius
Awarded in 2000 for the Best
Aesthetic Quality of Illustration
Work.
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2000. – 148 p.
isBn 9986-02-937-6
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
Illustration by Edvardas Jazgevičius
82
83
world literature
Maria Gripe
Maria Gripe
Joel Chandler Harris
Nepaprasta Agnesės Sesilijos
istorija
Šešėlis ant akmeninio
suolelio
Dėdulės Rimuso pasakos
agnes cecilia – en sällsam historia
AGNES CECILIA
Illustrated by Marta Žuravskaja
skuggan över stenBänken
THE SHADOW ON THE STONE BENCH
Illustrated by Lina Kusaitė
Selected in 2009 as the Most
Significant Debut in children’s
literature.
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 273 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-42-1
UNCLE REMUS STORIES
Illustrated by Irmina Dudėnienė
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2007. – 128 p.
isBn 9955-24-459-3
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2009. – 276 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-40-7
UNCLE REMUS STORIES
Illustration by Irmina Dudėnienė
THE SHADOW ON THE STONE BENCH
Illustration by Lina Kusaitė
84
85
world literature
Wilhelm Hauff
E. T. A. Hoffmann
Lois Lowry
Pasakos
Spragtukas ir pelių karalius
Siuntėjas
märchen
FAIRY TALES
Illustrated by Aušra Čapskytė
nussknacker und mausekönig
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE
MOUSE KING
Illustrated by Kęstutis Kasparavičius
THE GIVER
Illustrated by Jolanta Talaikienė
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2007. – 468 p.
isBn 9955-24-444-5
Alma littera, Vilnius, 2003. – 222 p.
isBn 9955-08-265-8
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2005. – 92 p.
isBn 9955-683-02-3
THE GIVER
Illustration by Jolanta Talaikienė
FAIRY TALES
Illustration by Aušra Čapskytė
86
87
world literature
Margaret Mahy
Charles Perrault
Luis Sepúlveda
Nuostabioji aš!
Motulės Žąsies pasakos
WONDERFUL ME!
Illustrated by Lina EitmantytėValužienė
contes de ma mère l’oie
TALES OF MOTHER GOOSE
Illustrated by Sigutė Ach
Apie žuvėdrą ir katiną, kuris
išmokė ją skraidyti
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2010. – 184 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-92-6
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2006. – 190 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-13-1
historia de una gaviota y del
gato que le enseñó a volar
ABOUT A SEAGULL AND THE CAT
WHO TOUGHT HER TO FLY
Illustrated by Lina Dūdaitė
This edition has been included
in the ibby Honour List 2010 for
its illustration work.
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2008. – 84 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-55-1
ABOUT A SEAGULL AND THE CAT WHO TOUGHT HER TO FLY
Illustration by Lina Dūdaitė
88
89
world literature
Ulf Stark
Ulf Stark
Sikstenas
Murkšlinas ir Turkšlinas
SIXTEN
Illustrated by Lina Dūdaitė
märklin och turBin
MäRKLIN AND TURBIN
Illustrated by Rasa Joni
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 104 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-19-3
Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 148 p.
isBn 978-9955-683-17-9
MäRKLIN AND TURBIN
Illustration by Rasa Joni
Index
Ach, Sigutė 8, 27, 33, 55, 59, 83, 89
Adomaitytė, Gintarė 7, 33, 48, 62, 73
Andersen, Hans Christian 81
Argustaitė, Indrė 74
Astas, Vydas 72
Avyžius, Jonas 48
Babbitt, Natalie 81
Babilaitė, Ieva 8, 33, 35
Bagočiūnaitė-Paukštienė, Aušra 51
Balčiūnienė, Taida 15
Bateikienė, Ramunė 67, 68
Baum, Frank Lyman 83
Beresnevičius, Gintaras 6, 49
Bereznickas, Ilja 26, 35
Bonsels, Waldemar 83
Budrytė, Brigita 76
Cabot, Meg 7
Chlebinskaitė, Sigutė 25
Cicėnaitė, Akvilina 62
Cvirkienė, Birutė 48
Čapskytė, Aušra 50, 86, 87
Čebatariūnaitė, Dangė 73
Čekatauskaitė, Jurga 35
Černiauskas, Rimantas 6, 49
Daukšaitė-Guobienė, Irena 17, 26, 40, 46
Dautartaitė-Krutulienė, Agnė 77
Degėsys, Liutauras 22
Dekienė, Laimutė 73
Dičius, Rimgaudas 72
Dičiuvienė, Jūratė 72
Dikčienė, Rasa 74
Dočkutė, Rasa 23
Dovydėnas, Liudas 50
Dūdaitė, Lina 49, 89, 90
Dudėnienė, Irmina 58, 70, 85
Dulskaitė, Edita 25
Eidrigevičius, Stasys 17, 57
Eitmantytė-Valužienė, Lina 27, 77, 89
Erlickas, Juozas 23
Farjeon, Eleanor 83
Geda, Sigitas 23, 35
Gelažiūtė, Eglė 35
Gilytė, Inga 22
Glinskytė, Ramybė 73
Gražienė, Eglė 17
Gripe, Maria 85
Gudonytė, Kristina 7, 62
Guobis, Aleksandras 6
Gutauskas, Leonardas 6, 23, 50
Harris, Joel Chandler 85
Hauff, Wilhelm 87
Hoffmann, E. T. A. 87
Iga, Junko 45
Indre, Agnes 78
Indriūnaitė, Nijolė 51
Jackutė, Goda 49
Jakubėnas, Kazys 25
Janonytė, Aida 81
Jankutė, Nijolė 51
Jankus, Jurgis 6
Janonytė, Aida 70
Jautakė, Ona 7, 63
Jazgevičius, Edvardas 82, 83
Jocius, Gintaras 19, 57, 59
Jonaitis, Giedrius 69
Joni, Rasa 8, 37, 57, 78, 90, 91
Jonutis, Marius 51, 53, 55
Juknytė, Ieva 46
Juodišius, Paulius 8, 37, 53
Kairevičiūtė, Daiva 48
Kandrotaitė, Karina 74
Kandrotas, Vytautas 74
Karoblytė, Jovita 74
Katinas, Džiugas 45
Kasparavičius, Kęstutis 8, 39, 40,
56, 81, 87
Kepenienė, Nijolė 6, 53
Kepenytė, Šarūnė 53
Kepežinskas, Rimvydas 29, 48, 55
Klimavičiūtė, Dalia 74
Klimienė, Audronė 60
Klimka, Libertas 40
Kliševičius, Algis 26
Knystautas, Algirdas 75
Kuckaitė, Eglė 17
Kukulas, Valdemaras 25
Kunčinas, Jurgis 6, 63
Kusaitė, Lina 84, 85
Landsbergis, Vytautas V, 6, 55, 56
Lapinskaitė, Aistė 73
92
93
Leler, Indrė 62
Leonavičius, Bronius 29
Leonavičius, Šarūnas 25
Liobytė, Aldona 56
Lowry, Lois 87
Mahy, Margaret 89
Marcinkevičius, Vilmantas 17
Marčėnas, Aidas 25
Marmaitė-Snitkienė, Lina 76
Matelis, ­Arvydas 74
Meškauskaitė, Neringa 60
Mickutė, Monika 74
Milaševičiūtė, Edita 63
Minkevičiūtė, Erika 27
Misiūnaitė, Aušra Marija 65
Misiūnas, Remigijus 6, 65
Monkevičiūtė, Diana 17
Morkūnas, Gendrutis 7, 8, 65, 66
Namajūnienė, Edita 58
Navakauskas, Česlovas 26
Padimanskaitė, Vanda 75, 76
Pajarskienė, Ilona 66
Palčinskaitė, Violeta 26
Paliukaitis, Julius 68
Paltanavičius, Selemonas 6, 56,
76, 77
Perrault, Charles 89
Petkevičius, Vytautas 57, 66
Populaigienė, Sigita 56
Poškus, Sigitas 6, 26, 57
Prialgauskaitė, Laima 77
Puikienė, Asta 17
Račickas, Vytautas 7, 67, 68
Račinskaitė, Jūratė 27, 41
Ranonytė, Aida 63
Rennison, Louise 7
Repšys, Andrius 62
Repšys, Petras 19
Rimšas, Rimtautas 68
Rolia, Rimantas 30
Ruzienė, Jūratė 76
Saja, Kazys 7, 57, 68, 69
Sauka, Šarūnas 33
Sepúlveda, Luis 89
Skomantas 6
Skučaitė, Ramutė 8, 27
Sluckis, Mykolas 58
Staniūnas, Sigitas 20
Stark, Ulf 90
Sujetovaitė, Irma 73
Surgailienė, Aspazija 19
Šalčiūtė, Laisvydė 8, 43
Šarmavičiūtė, Jurga 62, 63
Šerelytė, Renata 6, 29, 58
Šimėnienė, Živile 15, 18, 63
Talaikienė, Jolanta 87
Tarabilda, Agnius 68
Tolvaišienė, Elena 77
Tumosa, Mantas 74
Uliūnė, Urtė 59
Ullrich, Hotense 7
Umbrasaitė, Ingrida 15
Vaičiūnaitė, Judita 29
Vaičiūnaitė, Ula 29, 73
Vainilaitienė, Sofija 58
Vainilaitis, Martynas 6, 29, 30
Vaišnys, Andrius 78
Vaitkevičiūtė, Daiva 6, 7, 59, 69
Valiukas, Juozas 74
Varnaitė, Algė 45
Vedegytė-Palubinskienė, Nijolė 51
Vėl, Vilė 7, 70
Vėliuvienė, Ramunė 20
Vilimaitė, Bitė 7
Vilutis, Mikalojus Povilas 67
Vitkus, Zigmas 78
Zakšauskas, Andrius 69
Zelenkevičius, Julius 74
Zokaitytė, Birutė 17
Zurba, Algimantas 60
Žilinskaitė, Vytautė 7, 59, 70
Žilinskas, Justinas 6, 60
Žilinskas, Romualdas 45
Žilytė, Birutė 56
Žukauskaitė, Neringa 17
Žutautė, Lina 8, 45, 65, 66
Žukas, Saulius 45
Žukauskaitė, Neringa 59
Žuravskaja, Marta 85
Žviliūtė, Živilė 30
Žviliuvienė, Irena 30
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
ALGARVĖ
Algirdo 37, LT-03217 Vilnius
+370 5 2725910
algarve@takas.lt
www.algarve.lt
GARNELIS
Konstitucijos 23a, LT-01117 Vilnius
+370 5 2313231
garnelis@garnelis.lt
www.garnelis.lt
ALMA LITTERA
Ulonų 2, LT-08245 Vilnius
+370 5 2638877
post@almalittera.lt
www.almalittera.lt
GIMTASIS ŽODIS
Rūdninkų 10, LT-01135 Vilnius
+370 5 2652730
www.gimtasiszodis.lt
BALTOS LANKOS
Kęstučio 10, LT-08116 Vilnius
+370 5 2408673
leidykla@baltoslankos.lt
www.baltoslankos.lt
BRIEDIS
Parodų 4, LT-04133 Vilnius
+370 5 2706479
info@briedis.lt
www.briedis.eu
CHARIBDĖ
S. Konarskio 49, LT-03123 Vilnius
+370 5 2163973
charibde@charibde.lt
www.charibde.lt
List of publishers
DOMINICUS LITUANUS
Nugalėtojų 3d-2, LT-10105 Vilnius
+370 5 2777888
info@dominicus.lt
www.dominicus.lt
HOMO LIBER
J. Baltrušaičio 11-126, LT-06145 Vilnius
+370 5 2793976
homoliber@takas.lt
www.homoliber.lt
Institute of the Lithuanian
Language
P. Vileišio 5, LT-10308 Vilnius
+370 5 2346058
leidykla@lki.lt
www.lki.lt
Lithuanian Writers’ Union
Publishers
K. Sirvydo 6, LT-01101 Vilnius
+370 5 2628945
info@rsleidykla.lt
www.rsleidykla.lt
LUTUTĖ
V. Putvinskio 47-4, LT-44243 Kaunas
+370 37 223072
lutute@lutute.lt
www.lutute.lt
MAGILĖ
Eglyno 34, LT-37456 Panevėžys
+370 45 576795
magile@freemail.lt
NAUJOJI ROSMA
A. Strazdelio 1, LT-02102 Vilnius
+370 5 2613662
info@rosmos.leidyklos.lt
www.rosmos.leidyklos.lt
Institute of Lithuanian Literature
and Folklore
Antakalnio 6, LT-10308 Vilnius
+370 5 2125332
knyga@llti.lt
www.llti.lt
NIEKO RIMTO
Dūmų 3a, LT-11119 Vilnius
+370 5 2696684
art@niekorimto.lt
www.niekorimto.lt
Publishing House
of Vilnius P
­ edagogical
University
Ševčenkos 31, LT-03111 Vilnius
+370 5 2333593
leidykla@vpu.lt
www.leidykla.vpu.lt
TRYS ŽVAIGŽDUTĖS
Kalvarijų 159, LT-08313 Vilnius
+370 5 2762406
jaronimasl@takas.lt
www.tryszvaigzdutes.lt
TYTO ALBA
J. Jasinskio 10, LT-01112 Vilnius
+370 5 2498602
info@tytoalba.lt
www.tytoalba.lt
VAGA
Gedimino 50, LT-01110 Vilnius
+370 5 2498121
info@vaga.lt
www.vaga.lt
Vytautas Račickas
Giedros 35, LT-10234 Vilnius
+370 5 2317996
OBUOLYS
Butrimonių 9, LT-50220 Kaunas
+370 37 713274
knygos@obuolys.lt
www.obuolys.lt
VERSUS AUREUS
Rūdninkų 10, LT-01135 Vilnius
+370 5 2652730
info@versus.lt
www.versus.lt
JŪSŲ FLINTAS
V. Putvinskio 34, LT-44211 Kaunas
+370 37 224489
www.flintas.lt
PRESVIKA
Kauno 28, LT-03202 Vilnius
+370 5 2623182
presvika@vilnius.balt.net
www.presvika.lt
ŽARA
Akademijos 4, LT-08412 Vilnius
+370 5 2729117
info@zara.lt
www.zara.lt
EGLĖS LEIDYKLA
Labrenciškės 18, LT-92287 Klaipėda
+370 46 385656
editor@egles-leidykla.lt
www.egles-leidykla.lt
KALENDORIUS
Laisvės 118-5, LT-44253 Kaunas
+370 37 203311
info@kalendorius.lt
www.kalendorius.lt
ŠVIESA
E. Ožeškienės 10, LT-44252 Kaunas
+370 37 409126
mail@sviesa.lt
www.sviesa.lt
ERIDANAS
Partizanų 4, LT-50210 Kaunas
+370 37 797837
info@eridanas.lt
www.eridanas.lt
KRONTA
Šiaulių 3, LT-01133 Vilnius
+370 5 2121871
leidykla@kronta.lt
www.kronta.lt
TEV
Akademijos 4, LT-08412 Vilnius
+370 5 2729318
tev@tev.lt
www.tev.lt
DRUKA
Šilutės 79, LT-94101 Klaipėda
+370 46 380458
leidyba@druka.lt
www.druka.lt
JOTEMA
Algirdo 54, LT-50157 Kaunas
+370 37 337695
info@jotema.lt
www.jotema.lt
94
95
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
I llustrarium
The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010
Catalogue edited by Roma Kišūnaitė, Vita Mozūraitė, Loreta Žvironaitė-Udrienė and Kęstutis Urba
Translation by Karilė Dalia Vaitkutė and Karolis Klimka
Graphic design by Jokūbas Jacovskis
Design and layout by Inter Se, Lithuania
www.interse.lt
Printed in Lithuania by
www.kopa.eu
Published by the International Cultural Programme Centre, Lithuania
www.koperator.lt | www.lituania-bologna.eu
Supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
Acknowledgements
The Centre for Children’s Literature of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
isbn 978-609-8015-13-3
© International Cultural Programme Centre, 2011
The reproduction of this catalogue, even in part, in any form or media
is prohibited without written consent of the copyright holder
Circulation: 2000