Illustrarium: The Best Lithuanian Books for Children 2000–2010

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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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

picture books

Target reader: 4–7 years old Baltos lankos, Vilnius, 2004. – 23 p. isBn 9955-584-67-x

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

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

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

picture books

Target reader: 7–9 years old Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 68 p. isBn 978-9955-683-33-9

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

picture books

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

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

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

Jonas Avyžius

Gintaras Beresnevičius

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

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

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

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

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

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

literary fairy tales and fantasy

Target reader: 6–12 years old Vaga, Vilnius, 2006. – 199 p. isBn 5-415-01888-3

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

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

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

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

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

realistic stories

Target reader: 12–14 years old Nieko rimto, Vilnius, 2007. – 216 p. isBn 978-9955-683-38-4

Gendrutis Morkūnas

Vytautas Petkevičius

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

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

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

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

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

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

educational books

Lina Marmaitė-Snitkienė

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

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

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

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

world literature

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

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

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

world literature

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

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

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