CERKABELLA
BOOKs
CERKABELLA Publishing House was founded in 1997. The aim of Cerkabella is to publish high quality literature for children and young adults. Numerous Cerkabella books have received literary prizes in Hungary as well internationally, and many of our titles have also won awards due to the excellence of their design.
The publishing house has been cooperating with numerous wellknown authors of children’s books, poets, and prose writers, such as Erzsi Kertész, János Lackfi, Ágnes Mészöly, Tibor Zalán and others. Also, we are working with award winning illustrators, like Réka Hanga, Kinga Rofusz, Katalin Szegedi, Juli Litkei, Eszter Metzing, Tibor Kárpáti and others.
Cerkabella’s titles were published recently in China, Germany, Iran, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Turkey.
FAIRY SCONE books
Size: 190 x 190 mm
János Lackfi
THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Number of pages: 32
János Lackfi, one of the favourite writers of Hungarian children, is a popular poet with several awards. His heartwarming new picture book tells the story of the birth of Jesus, the true story of Christmas, which we read again and again for generations. Both young and adult readers will take delight in this wellknown story, which is brought closer to modern times by the intimate and charming illustrations by Ildi Horváth.
János Lackfi
A TRUE STORY OF EASTER
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2022, 2023, 2024
Number of pages: 32
Who was Jesus? How did he live and what did the Son of God do among the people –and what happened to him at Easter? This heartwarming tale by János Lackfi is about the strength of love and hope.
János Lackfi
A TRUE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2021, 2022
Number of pages: 32
It is a true story of Santa Claus, but which one? As we all know there are several of them. Small ones, big ones, lilac, red, silver and golden ones. He is called in different names like Saint Nicholas, Snow Father or Winter Father. This heartwarming tale by János Lackfi tells us the story of Saint Nicholas, the model and hero of every generous, gift-bringer person.
János Lackfi
A TRUE STORY OF CHRISTENING
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2023
Number of pages: 36
What is water good for? How can you clean up what you can’t see? Why do we need it at all?
This heart-warming tale by János Lackfi not only tells the story of baptism of Jesus, but also tells the story of purification, love and even the soul in a way that children can understand and relate to. But most of all, the story is about that being good is good.
Imola Julianna Szabó
ROKAMOK AND CIRMACS
Illustrator: Adrienn Gyöngyösi
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 36
Rókamók and Círmacs are almost brothers and sisters. They take after each other but sometimes they don’t. They argue but sometimes they don’t. Anyway, they are seldom bored because something always happens in the forest. A telephone is left, a birthday box is missing, or the weeks of the month get mixed up or braces cause problems.
The short and sometimes lyrical tales by Imola Julianna Szabó are full of surprising turns.
Gyula Veszpi CAPTAIN PIRATE, ADVENTURE STORIES
Illustrator: Dóra Mándi-Kövesdi
Publication date: 2021
Number of pages: 76
Captain Pirate is only a little fearsome – he is rather funny instead. The adventures he goes through on his boat are full of surprises: the nine tales of this book includes dragons, jedi knights, fairies, a speaking ball and an octopus crazy for socks.
For everyone who loves laughing.
3+ FAIRY SCONE books
Size: 190 x 190 mm
Angi Máté
IT IS A WHISPERING LETTER
Illustrator: Ágnes Keszeg
Publication date: 2011, 2022
Number of pages: 40
These short tales are about things which are not easy to write about, especially for children: being cold, loneliness, fear and love. Angi Máté’s language recreates the world, it is from Transylvania, childlike, artistic, flexible and naive in a funny way. Unusual point of views, impersonated notions and the use of magic make these stories unique.
A surreal but cosy world has been created due to the illustrations by Ágnes Keszeg.
Erzsi Kertész
HELLO SANTA!
Illustrator: Annamária Megyeri
Publication date: 2023
Number of pages: 48
A Christmas story for the little ones!
Do you know who the bearded uncle in red is? And who are you bringing a gift for? Manó is learning now - and Pötyi, his dog, has an opinion on everything too! You too can have your own Pötyi dog!
The volume also contains an amigurumi description, based on which Pötyi can be made.
Krisztina Rita Molnár THE ANGEL’S TALE
Illustrator: Hajnalka Szimonidesz
Publication date: 2023
Number of pages: 36
The angels are actually all postmen, but they don’t have green uniforms and leather bags. But they always bring messages, exactly as if they were postmen. It’s just not always written. It can be a balmy melody, the smell of freshly baked bread or a lonely swing in the kindergarten yard, a cooling shade in the summer heat.
Rita Molnár Krisztina tells about joy, about the fact that we are not alone.
By scanning the QR code on the book, you can listen to the story in the author’s presentation.
Zsolt Adamik, Ildikó Boldizsár, András Dániel, Erzsi Kertész, Judit Ágnes Kiss, Noémi Kiss, János Lackfi, Nóra Majoros, Kinga Maksai, Ágnes Mészöly, Eszter Molnár T., Anna Somfai, Emőke Várfalvy
SOFT FLUFF
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2023 | Number of pages: 112
Size : 165 x 240 mm
Winter tales - not just for winter! 13 special winter tales from 13 great authors, with gorgeous illustrations by Réka Hanga
Someone ate winter. He didn’t get it all at once, he started little by little: first he caught the stray snowflakes, he gathered them together with his sharp tongue, and the city couldn’t help but be amazed. That there’s a monster running around here! After the snowflakes, he began to eat the snow clouds: he stuffed them into himself like a good child does with cotton candy. No more snow clouds. And he went on and on, his steps trembled, and he devoured the freshly rolled snowmen, stole the remaining snowballs from the children’s hands, and ate them too. He was so happy! How he messed with the townspeople. And then, he hid in a crack in a wall with a full belly of winter and was happy there. But then, of course, uncle Talicska came...
Anna Somfai
PRINCESS RASPBERRY
Illustrator: Adrienn Gyöngyösi
Publication date: 2021
Number of pages: 40 | Size: 210 x 160 mm
Princesses, princes and knights live in the empire of Princess Raspberry, and of course Vanília (Vanilla) her cat is always beside her. There are plays, friends and adventures – everything a small child needs.
Adrienn Gyöngyösi’s drawings create a lovable universe typical of princesses.
BENNY, THE TOY CAR
Illustrator: Kornél Rátkai
Publication date: 2021
Number of pages: 40 | Size: 210 x 160 mm
What is the life of a toy car like? Is it similar to the life of a small child?
The answer can be found in the series of tales written by Emőke Várfalvy, which tell us about the everyday life of Bencus, the toy car and its family.
The first volume contains two tales – Bencus and the Zebras, and Bencus in the Car Kindergarten.
Emőke Várfalvy
Erzsi Kertész
THE LITTLE SEAL AND HIS FRIENDS
Illustrator: Gabi Baracsi
Publication date: 2021, 2023
Number of pages: 56
Size : 200 x 220 mm
The new book by Erzsi Kertész is for the youngest ones, it is about young animals which are just like young kids. At the end of all 25 tales the author writes a game, which can be played by the readers so they can join the Little Seal and his friends.
THE LITTLE KOALA AND HIS GANG
Illustrator: Gabi Baracsi
Publication date: 2023
Number of pages: 80
Size: 200 x 220 mm
Erzsi Kertész once again tells stories to the little ones - about small animals who are exactly like children. This volume also contains 25 short, funny stories, for each of which the author has written a game idea, so readers can really join Kiskoala and his gang as playmates!
WITH GAMES WITH GAMES
Erzsi Kertész, the author received the HUBBY award in 2016, she became the writer of the year.
SPELLING BOOKs
Number of pages: 48 | Size: 142 x 195 mm
Ágnes Mészöly
FOX
SETS OUT
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2018, 2019, 2021
We can learn how cosy a foxhole can be from the tales of FOX SETS OUT.
Nóra Majoros
BADGER MOVES IN
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2019, 2021
BADGER MOVES IN is about a perfect birthday present and tells us how the animals of the forest welcome Fox’s friend.
Erzsi Kertész RAT’S
ADVENTURES
Illustrator: Krisztina Maros
Publication date: 2019
From RAT’S ADVENTURES we can get to know whose life is more interesting: a magician’s or a pilot’s.
The volumes of the series SPELLING BOOKS are special in the way that the tales are printed in capital letters so they provide excellent opportunity to exercise reading and they offer the excitement of discovery for those who have just learned to read.
Emőke Várfalvy
CAT AND THE ADVENTURE
Illustrator: Krisztina Maros
Publication date: 2020
In the two tales of the fourth volume of the series, CAT AND THE ADVENTURE Cat sets off for new adventures. How can a lazy domestic cat turn into a real adventurer? How much valour it requires to stand up to the mightiest dog in the park?
Every volume includes two tales. They are unique because readers can understand the tales if they read the sentences printed in capital letters only.
Kinga Maksai
ALPACA GETS LOST
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2021
In the fifth volume of the series SPELLING BOOKS Alpaca thinks that he is old enough to discover the world alone. A friendly armadillo family and a ballet dancer flamingo help him find his way in the busy city - and the way back home.
Judit
Berg
TATU HAS THE SULKS
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2022
In the sixth volume of SPELLING BOOKS, the protagonist is a tatoo cub. Is it worth sulking over a chore if you’re having cocoa rolls for dinner? What does it take to turn a tatu girl into a ballet dancer?
In 2015, Réka Hanga became the Illustrator of the Year. In 2016, she was also on the IBBY Honour List.
SPELLING BOOKs 1 _ 7
Number of pages: 48
Size: 142 x 195 mm
Judit Ágnes Kiss CATERPILLAR DREAMING
Illustrator: Ágnes Keszeg
Publication date: 2024
In the seventh volume of the SPELLING BOOKS series, we can read about the exciting journey of two caterpillar children, Ió and Ním. Is it possible that they don’t recognize their own mother? And can caterpillars practice yoga?
Emőke Várfalvy
PUDDING POODLE ANIMAL HOME AND PANSION
Illustrator: Viki Bogdán
Publication date: 2021
Number of pages: 62 | Size : 142 x 195 mm
Would you also like to take every animal to your home? If so, then join Niki, the retired teacher, who works as an animal rescuer, and her team. Meet the barking, meowing, chirping, grunting, roaring and lovely inhabitants of Pudding Poodle Animal Home and Pansion, who are looking forward to finding a home in your hearts.
A tale for animal loving children, elementary school pupils learning to read and adults who are child at heart.
Tibor Zalán
GREAT BOOK OF PRINCESSES
ROMANIA
Illustrator: Andrea Kürti
Publication date: 2022
Number of pages: 312 | Size: 165 x 240 mm
A BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC STORYBOOK!
Did you know that you are a princess too? Even if you haven’t thought about it – you have qualities that makes you special, magical, and unique.
Tibor Zalán, a multiple award-winning writer and father of two princesses, presents forty stories about forty princesses in this book. You can find among them the one who is the closest to you!
“Princesses are hidden within everyone. In hearts, smiles, and glances. Sometimes even in adults. You just need to search carefully in the mirror.” – Andrea Kürti
“Being a princess is truly wonderful! Of course, this princess thing isn’t that simple. What exactly it means and how to do it, I don’t know myself. I pursued the secret, and my journey led me through forty tales.” – Tibor Zalán
“Every visitor noted that King Habakuk was exceedingly fortunate, for all forty of his daughters were beautiful, each one more lovely than the last.
But he had plenty of trouble with them too! Not only were some of them tiny, sensitive, adventurous, knowledgeable, and dreamy, but there was even one who, conspiring with dragons, became a bandit...”
THE BANDAGE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1 _ 3
Illustrator: Ildikó Petrók
Number of pages: 40 | Size: 225 x 290 mm
THE BANDAGE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Publication date: 2012, 2017
“The Bandage Street Animal Hospital without a doubt is the most popular animal hospital series for anybody with two, four or even a hundred legs.” – The New York Animal Times
“We wrote that the Bandage Street Animal Hospital is the most exciting, most heartbreaking behind the scenes story about the veterinary sector. We were wrong! The sequel surpasses every expectation!” – The Doctor’s Guardian
THE BANDAGE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL. NEW CASES
Publication date: 2014, 2017
RENOVATION IS UNDER WAY AT BANDAGE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Publication date: 2017
The stories involve a stray cuckoo’s egg, dangerous raspberry jam, acute flea control and freeing a pair of rubber boots. But these are just a few of the animal adventures which take place in the Bandage Street Animal Hospital. Luckily, Professor Termite, the director of the hospital, and his team are in control of the situations. They leave no one without medical attendance. This book is a real recipe for healing laughter!
SLOVAKIA CHINA
ATI AND THE MOONLIGHT
Publication date: 2013
Number of pages: 40
Uncle Ármin tells Ati that when he was a child, he visited Ms. Hanna on the Moon, and now he is planning a second journey. In the garage, he is working on a special car, similar to the one which flew him to the Moon when he was a little boy. He has almost finished working on the car, and now he shows it to Ati...
The trilogy revives the traditions of classical storybooks: the protagonist is a little boy, whose adventures always take place in a special terrain, somewhere between his past and dreams. Ati’s journeys are in close connection with his family and friends: his parents, Uncle Ármin, the late grandfather, the godparents and his
Ottó Kiss
ATI 1 _ 3
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Size: 230 mm x 275 mm
ATI LEARNS TO FLY
Publication date: 2014
Number of pages: 52
The story begins with a dream of Ati. In his dreams, Ati has already flown a lot of times, but somehow he has never felt it real. And what does it have in common with the photo of a man wearing a pilot’s cap? Ati’s late grandfather connects the events of past and present, dream and reality in a mysterious way, and finally Ati will have a chance to fly!
cousin create a safe and loving atmosphere around Ati. So the little boy never feels alone when he has to face mystical longings, illness, history or fate. Although his questions arise from insecurity and fear, he always gets a reassuring answer.
Other books by the author: MIDGET PRETENDERS
ATI BEHIND THE MIRROR
Publication date: 2015
Number of pages: 52
“Not everything we see does exist and vice versa: we don’t see everything that exists.” says Ati’s godfather. When Ati recalls the summer that was full of family legends and games, he realizes that his godfather referred to something else besides this hiding place.
In 2015, Réka Hanga became the illustrator of the year. In 2016, she was also on the IBBY Honour List.
FOUR WHEELS
CAR CLINIC
Illustrator: Annabella Orosz
Size: 142 mm x 195 mm
FOUR WHEELS CAR CLINIC
Publication date: 2019
Number of pages: 56
The Four Wheels Car Clinic can be found in a little town and thanks to its mechanics it is the best in the region. In the five tales of the volume they repair five old cars. Katica, the old Beetle, the coughing Tobias, the little pink Mini, Zaffi the family sedan and the fire engine are at least as likeable and special as their owners.
The second volume contains six new tales. The mechanics are incredibly smart. Call them in case of emergency.
The four Zolis are fantastic mechanics! The book is for all tale-loving children but for car fans it is obligatory reading.
FOUR WHEELS CAR CLINIC. ANOTHER TWENTY WHEELS
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 80
Annamária Megyeri
GARDEN SMARTLY!
OUR GARDEN
HOW TO CREATE A GARDEN IN ONE YEAR
Illustrator: Annamária Megyeri
Publication date: 2023 | Number of pages: 162 | Size : 165 x 240 mm
ROMANIA
A garden can be the best place in the world: refreshment, shelter, pantry or even a playground. But it’s best if it’s all at once! Do you have a garden, but it’s not quite what you want? Are you just dreaming of a garden, what would it be like? The book by Annamária Megyeri, a garden designer and illustrator, is for everyone, including complete beginners. It offers a fairy tale for children, great ideas for adults, understandable, smart, easy-to-implement practical tips so that the garden we create can be the garden of our dreams!
With a perpetual gardening calendar and a list of the most important garden tools.
Shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year Award in 2024!
The book was chosen to be one of the five most outstanding books in the Best Educational Book of the Year category in 2024!
Zsolt Adamik
DINGLY HILL MONSTERPEDIA
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Publication date: 2014, 2017, 2022 | Number of pages: 124 | Size: 210 x 265 mm
Dingly Hill towers high above the tiny town. How high? Really high! Two singular souls live atop this grassy mass of mountain: Old Sissy Salt and Ancient Arnold Barrow and, of course, a load of monsters with sharp teeth and bad attitudes. Ancient Arnold is the creature keeper but falls asleep leaving his herd of unruly monsters to sneak their way free and tiptoe down into the town.
And that’s when things go monstrously wrong.
That is unless you know your monsters, and then there’s no need to feel afraid. It’s enough to say “Oh, it’s you again!” and then go home to a meal your mum’s made. Know your monsters from tousled top to tangled tail, and nothing will scare you again. That’s why it’s great that professors Zsolt Adamik and Réka Hanga
(the first one’s a gent, the second a lady) have compiled a complete compendium of creatures great and gruesome, telling you all you probably never wanted to know about monsters you might meet in the street or catch sight of in the night at the bottom of your bedspread.
Anna Somfai
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORD
KINGA ROFUSZ
BOLOGNA RAGAZZI
Illustrator: Juli Litkei
Publication date: 2023 | Number of pages: 100
Size: 165 x 220 mm
13 tales from around the world!
We would think that children everywhere in the world celebrate Christmas in the same way: the bell rings, the family gathers for Christmas dinner, presents are opened... This is not quite the case, as there are as many countries as there are traditions.
In the fairy tales of Anna Somfai, many exciting Christmas customs full of surprises come to life. Angels, goblins, miracle-working spiders, magic cats are coming - the holiday is full of secrets all over the world!
Ágnes Mészöly
A SNOW-WHITE CHRISTMAS
CROSSMEDIA AWARD
Illustrator: Kinga Rofusz
Publication date: 2013 | Number of pages: 40
Size: 230 mm x 275 mm
The book looks to traditional Christmas storybooks for its inspiration with a tale that follows a number of threads: the grandmother is sitting in her snowbound country cottage waiting for her son and his family to come home for Christmas;
the son and his family’s adventurous journey from the city to the country as their car gets stuck in deep snow; two angels struggle with a heavenly sled as they make their way to deliver presents to the grandmother’s house.
In 2017 Ágnes Mészöly was awarded the HUBBY prize for her achievements in children’s literature. In 2009 Kinga Rofusz was awarded the prize of The Illustrator of the Year by HUBBY and in 2018 she got the Most Innovative Book of the Year prize.
Erzsi Kertész
BUMPY STREET SCHOOL 1 _ 6
Illustrator: Eszter Metzing Size: 148 x 200 mm
HELLO, YOUR MAJESTY!
Publication date: 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
Number of pages: 92
After school, three students of class 2B were waiting in the courtyard excitedly for Gábor Oddo to come down in his long red robe. They wondered where he lives.
“I think he might be a real king.” said Flora. “I’ve heard something like that before.”
The story deals with self-acceptance and the problem of compulsion for conformity with a great sense of humour and an excellent knowledge of human nature.
SEE WONDER!
Publication date: 2017, 2019, 2021, 2024 Number of pages: 140
Cutie, as her name suggests, is a really cute girl but she wants nothing more than to be adored by others, hence she makes up wonderous stories all the time. At first her tales are simpler and easy to handle (for example Cutie can paint all the radiators at home pink anytime to make her fiction true). Finally, her forgery becomes so grand (about filthy rich relatives in Switzerland and their fabulous estate), all of her schoolmates become mad at her. Will she change, or will the others accept her the way she is?
TAKE IT EASY!
Publication date: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 Number of pages: 128
A girl called Saci is tidy, hardworking and always polite. Recently she has had some problems with maths at school and when she gets a bad grade she keeps quiet about it at home. She also keeps quiet when she notices that one of her classmates is up to some mischief. What’s more, she has to prepare for her appearance at the Christmas ceremony at school. Her family can hardly wait to hear her singing on the stage. Luckily her odd, old friend – Uncle Tata – always has some useful ideas what to do. What ideas exactly? Read the book and you will learn it.
GERMANY SLOVAKIA
TURKEY SERBIA
The Bumpy Street School is like any other school. There is always something going on here!
The series of novels by Erzsi Kertész belong to a newly discovered genre of children literature, that is problem oriented children’s books. Each of her novels focuses on a clearly defined problem which is mostly acute in the everyday life of children.
YOU ARE IN A JAM
Publication date: 2020, 2021,2024
Number of pages: 112
A boy called Robi feels that everything goes pear shaped. The older boys do not let him on their team, ridicule him and he fails to be the boss in the class. His elder brother always annoys him, the new partner of his mother would like to make friends – but he is anything but likeable. Robi’s only solace is the coming summer camp, which he is preparing with all his wits. He is planning a big time mischief to stand out among his friends. But Elemér, the leader of the camp is on the alert….
LEAVE ME ALONE!
Publication date: 2022, 2023
Number of pages: 116
Size: 130 x 200 mm
How can Lotti deal with being harassed at school and for something she can’t help at that. Who can help her? This book gives answers to these questions, too.
The drawn characters of Eszter Metzing reinforce the possibility of recognition and imitation. Erzsi Kertész, the author received the HUBBY award in 2016, she became the writer of the year.
WILL YOU BE MY MATE?
Publication date: 2024
Number of pages: 108
Size: 130 x 200 mm
English translation available
Katica is a nice little girl, but she doesn’t really know what should she do at any given moment. She can’t take responsibility for anything, not even the smallest task, and clings to her friend like a sticker. However, when her friend moves abroad, Katica is left alone. What can a child who doesn’t truly connect with anyone do? A child who is insecure? Can she ask for help? How exhausting is it to always let others take charge of things?
8+
Erzsi Kertész
ANIMAL BOOKS 1_ 2
Illustrator: Réka Hanga
Size: 148 x 200 mm
ANIMAL CAFE
Publication date: 2016, 2021
Number of pages: 104
“I would love to have a strong black” Lopez said wearily. “How about a black panther? There comes one! He seems pretty strong.”
There is a café in the jungle, operated by antelopes, which has a wide range of guests including tigers, lions, ostriches, parrots and even penguins. And they are like us: the ostriches adopted the ostrich policy, the lions show mercy, while the tiger is just a ferocious carnivore – until he tries Antika’s rice pudding.
New books from the multiply awarded authors!
There is a storybook, an animal encyclopaedia and a guide to animal behaviour.
As readers of Erzsi Kertész expect, she presents us in her new novel a distorting mirror with the help of her brilliantly
ANIMAL FIRM _ FLOWER SHOP
Publication date: 2019
Number of pages: 112
What does Paradise mean to us? Romantic sunset? Endless relaxation? Soothing wellness – combined with a little mystery and drama? The adventures of the animals familiar from Animal Café continue: Antika and Lopez decide to create the Island of Big Common Happiness on a cosy place in the jungle. It is a paradise, open to everybody looking for happiness.
funny language, cabaret jokes, parodies and sharp, ironic humour.
Erzsi Kertész, the author received the HUBBY award in 2016, she became the writer of the year.
In 2015, Réka Hanga, the illustrator of the book, became the illustrator of the year. In 2016, she was also on the IBBY Honour List.
SERBIA TURKEY
Erzsi Kertész
SPEEDY LIGHT 1_ 2
Illustrator: Annabella Orosz
Size: 148 x 200 mm
SPEEDY LIGHT
Publication date: 2017
Number of pages: 88
Speedy Light arrives to planet Earth and discovers numerous, (for him) strange customs. He tries to learn the basics of Earth etiquette and this results in countless funny situations and dialogs. This is a whimsical storybook serving as a mocking glass for us Earthlings and as a lesson about tolerance: As Speedy switches to „Adaptation to the curious habits of this alien civilization” mode the reader can also identify with this serene mindset.
WANDERINGS OF SPEEDY LIGHT
Publication date: 2018
Number of pages: 128
Speedy Light always returns to his favourite place, the Earth. It is the only planet where the so-called anti-material can be found in abundance, where Plutopie is a favoured dish and where we can learn what to do in the case of a disturbing overload at the sight of a bright red space shuttle and its pretty pilot. If it weren’t enough, even an ordinary UFO boy can get a soft toy bear on the Earth.
Since the main character of this book by Erzsi Kertész is an extraterrestrial machinechild, the novel is especially interesting for kindergarten and elementary school kids and other readers interested in scientific topics as well.
Speedy Light is a nice and curious little boy, who would like to discover every nook and cranny of the world.
Erzsi Kertész, the author received the HUBBY award in 2016, she became the writer of the year.
Erzsi Kertész
VALIANT AND DALIAH, THE GREAT HEART ROBBERY
Illustrator: Réka Zsoldos
Publication date: 2022
Number of pages: 112 | Size: 145 x 200 mm
An edificatory and heartbreakingly funny knight tale about finding the Right One for very young, young and not so young ladies (and gentlemen).
MAZE-IN-LAKE
Illustrator: Annabella Orosz
Publication date: 2012, 2018
Number of pages: 136 | Size: 130 x 195 mm
There is a water labyrinth somewhere called the Maze-inLake. Many have tried to uncover its secret but those who set their sails in its intricate channels have never returned to the port. Our hero, a somewhat soft prince tries his luck and becomes a gondola operator carrying passengers around in the island-world while mapping up and conquering the unknown waters. However, this profession isn’t all that easy. His passengers push his patience and creativity to the limits. A cat, a mermaid, an easter bunny and a misfortunate shooting star are the first ones on his boat. Their common journey, journey of self-discovery even, is not without thunderstorms. By the end of their story we’ll see whether the passengers reach their goals and we’ll also learn whether our hero is able to uncover the Lake’s mystery.
Erzsi Kertész
NIGHT GARDEN. A MYSTICAL TALE
Illustrator: Réka Zsoldos
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 112 | Size: 148 x 210 mm
HUBBY Award winner Erzsi Kertész is the author of several successful children’s books and series. Her co-author is a stunningly young illustrator, Réka Zsoldos. Their first common book is sparkingly special. Mysterious places, shady nooks, eccentric detectives and all kinds of strange creatures make the Night Garden unique. It is a deserted place, where noone goes for a walk and even its neighbourhood is feared by the citizens. But Tódor and Teodóra, two able detectives, walk through its iron gate. A strange fellow called Noxoktis offers to be their leader and starts
telling stories thus revealing the secrets of the garden and its inhabitants. Sooner or later everybody becomes suspicious… The detectives must do their best to find out who is behind the mysterious case.
But be careful! The garden is dark and full of strange noises.
Entrance is only on your own responsibility.
SURPRISE: LUMINESCENT COVER
Anna Somfai
FRIENDSHIP NETWORK 1 _ 3
Illustrator: Ildikó Horváth
Size: 145 x 200 mm
FRIENDSHIP NETwork
Publication date: 2019, 2021
Number of pages: 168
Time-travel adventures in the past and in another dimension!
Lencsi and Fülöp join forces with a cat of supernatural skills in order to defeat the evil and reweave the friendship net around Aunt Márti. A fantasy fairy tale about the friendship net that keeps the world together.
FRIENDSHIP NETwork, THE HALL OF SECRETS
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 240
In the new book, THE HALL OF SECRETS Lencsi and her friends has a long and exciting journey waiting for them, as far as the hall of secrets. Does the crystal of friendship work?
FRIENDSHIP NETWORK, THE HOURS OF IMAGINATION
Publication date: 2018
Number of pages: 128
What are our heart’s desires? How great is the power of imagination?
Lencsi and her friend possess a crystal with special power. Dubious persons dressed in grey cloaks appear during the festive period and a detective is also interested in the friendship crystal. Or is it just a figment of their imagination?
Anna Somfai, a physicist, won the special prize at Aranyvackor competition in 2017 with her novel.
Friendship Net was elected the Best Book for Young Teenagers in 2019 by voters of Foxbooks. It was selected into ’Szívünk rajta’ programme by Libri-Bookline and UNICEF.
IRAN
Adrienn Dér
A YETI LIVES IN OUR CELLAR
Illustrator: Krisztina Maros
Publication date: 2021 | Number of pages: 112
Size : 148 x 200 mm
Someone steals milk at night in Kati’s home. And it is just one of the problems. The Department of Wandered-Off Nonexistent Creatures organizes a rescue mission: underground, land, sea and air …
This book is for everyone who loves surprising adventures and yetis.
It is the first volume of the series EASY READERS. It is intended for children, who can read well –their first novel must be exciting and amusing.
Dóra Gimesi
(BASED ON THE TALE BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK)
THE BLUE BIRD
Illustrator: Kinga Rofusz
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 112 | Size: 165 x 230 mm
KINGA ROFUSZ
BOLOGNA RAGAZZI
CROSSMEDIA AWARD
The enchanting tale by the Nobel Prize winner writer Maurice Maeterlinck is retold by Dóra Gimesi. It is a de luxe edition of the classic piece. The author preserved the poetic value and imagery of the original text and wrote a fairy tale full of miracles. The illustrations by Kinga Rofusz recalls the appearance of pre-war children’s books. Where can the blue bird of happiness be found? The adventures of Tiltil and Mitil are full of secrets, they discover new worlds and their journey is accompanied by friends and betrayals – all is told with the wisdom of tales.
Anna Somfai
BEYOND THE WALL
Cover illustration: Mátyás Egri
Date of publication: 2024
Number of pages: 368 | Size: 130 x 200 mm
ICONIC EVENTS –CONTEMPORARY TEEN STORIES
Flora, like all teenagers, is constantly confronted with walls: social strictures, authoritarianism, compromises, silences. On a family trip, she experiences the boundaries literally: the wall that divides Berlin won’t let her go any further.
Teen rebellion, friends, first love – all intertwine with what lies beyond the wall.
The first volume in the new series of ICONIC young adult novels from Cerkabella Publishing House!
HAPPY FAMILY NOVELS 1 _ 5
Illustrator: István Bányai
Size: 160 x 230 mm
WHAT AN ODD LOT!
Date of publication: 2014
Number of pages: 248
The book as a haphazard cast made up of Dad, Mum, Kiddo and Christingel, who go on holiday with Uncle Bill, Auntie Dinkie, Billy and Buggie , along with Quintus – the man who knows it all. In this episode, we follow the two families as they take the train, hunt for mushrooms, trudge through the mud, and do all those things folks do when they are away from home.
LIFE ON THE OCEAN BRAVE!
Date of publication: 2014
Number of pages: 136
The book tells the story of a trip to the seaside with Uncle Bill and four boys (including Kiddo and Billy). Despite agreeing on “just a tooth brush and a clean pair of undies”, the lads set up camp in an old fisherman’s hut with a stack of backpacks, a mass of mattresses, and a lone guitar. Madcap mishaps with Captain “Cornie” Beef are only interrupted when one of the boys falls in love for the first time with a girl from foreign shores.
MY FAMILY UNCOVERED
Date of publication: 2015
Number of pages: 212
After Öcsi and his friends destroyed dad’s library and furnished the new flat with the help of some technical experts and the mysterious rauhenpikk everybody hopes that everything will be sorted out as a consequence of some lectures in guest-deterrence, car driving and husband education. But no….! Dad and Mum set out a long journey with a backpack and arrives at the Adriatic, where they enjoy the sea until Father Vilmos…
Méhes’s light-hearted novels are primarily designed for teenage readers. Written with a high degree of literary skill, they provide an entertaining read that, whilst still set in the real world, prefer to avoid conflict and controversy, and concentrate more heavily on the fun and healthy eccentricity of family life.
The writer known as ’the great story-teller’ caricatures the eve -
NINE HOBBYHORSES
Date of publication: 2015
Number of pages: 232
The kids are well into their teens and their parents are now as old as they remember their own parents being. Once again lots of laughs, a whacky wedding and yes... another holiday away together.
ryday oddities of family life with an irresistible sense of humour and proves that there is nothing we can laugh at more than at our own fallibilities.
György Méhes was awarded the Small Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic in 2000, the Kossuth Award in 2002, and the Europäische Akademie Wien Grand Prize in 2005.
OCSI’S DIARY
Date of publication: 2016
Number of pages: 186
The surprising thing in Öcsi’s diary is that it does not contain any surprising, wicked and horrible things. Öcsi seems to become a good child. Is he really going to be an ideal child? Not really… In the book you can read about an excurshion with Indians, tracking in the high hills with a shepherd dog, a treasure hunting camp and a holiday story with a flood.
István Bányai received his BFA from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest and gained prominence as a commercial illustrator and animator in the mid-1980s when he emigrated to the United States.
In 1995 Bányai produced his first wordless children’s book, Zoom. Honoured as one of the best children’s books of the year by the New York Times and Publishers Weekly, Zoom was soon published in 18 languages. While he continues to produce commercial illustrations for publications such as The New Yorker, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Time, he also creates cover art for Sony and Verve Records as well as animated short films for Nickelodeon and MTV Europe.
Kinga Maksai
NAMELESS WORLD 1-2
Illustrator: János Gárdos
Size: 130 x 200 mm
NAMELESS WORLD. ERIK AND THE FLOOR ABOVE THE UPPERMOST FLOOR
Publication date: 2019
Number of pages: 324
NAMELESS WORLD. ALONG UNKNOWN WAYS
„Let’s have a look at it’ – said Liza and sat down on the swivel chair and turned on Nameless World. ’District No. 26’ – and she enlarged the map.”
Similar to the following volumes of this series, a group of children try to solve different scientific and technology puzzles in this novel. When one of the children, Erik, disappears and the police is helpless, his classmates start investigating to find him. They find out that he goes on playing the computer game called Nameless World after his disappearance… One night Erik got a message that he had been chosen from among the players. He thought it was the usual fake thing or a virus had attacked her computer. But when Erik disappears the events take a turn: the loudmouthed Ray, the film fan Bazsi, Noel, a fan of supernatural things, the extravagant Liza, and the smart Dorka go into action…
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 328
The members of the ’not really super team’ from Nameless World is getting used to the routine of the school year when they are approached by a start up consisting of young geniouses. The prize is attractive, fancy equipment – but it turns out that rule number one, that is noone can be left behind, is not easy to keep.
When they accomplish their mission the team faces problems it never met before. Where is the border between reality and imagination? What happens if somebody does not want to return to the real world? Who can decide if something is true or nor, and how?
The new book by the writer of MIA & MAJA was awarded the first prize in the category of youth literature of Merítés Prize in 2018.
HANGA AND VARKONY
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2022
Number of pages: 568 | Size: 130 x 200 mm
So school is the most exciting place in the world? One thing is clear from the stories of Hanga and Várkony (read: Holmes and Watson): school is full of very strange characters. And thanks to Hanga, the eccentric, quick-witted girl, and Várkony, the often hard-headed but brave boy, it soon becomes clear that there are real mysteries behind the seemingly ordinary.
Mystery, science, excitement - and lots of humour!
A RECORD SHOP IN SAINT JOHN STREET
Illustrator: Krisztina Váradi
Publication date: 2020
Number of pages: 280 Size: 130 x 200 mm
A holiday on Malta can be about several things: sea, friends, exotic places. But Orsi finds an even more interesting place on the island: an old record shop full of secrets that she thought only existed in the legends of the Knights of the Order of Malta – or even somewhere else. To enter the gates of Past and Future is not so easy…
’If you want to leave present time and space behind, start reading this novel. Join Orsi (or Orsolya) and Joel and sneak into the record shop through the hind door – and you will find yourself in a different world. The novel by Zsolt Bernáth is for you if you like the secret of past times and far away places. You will be sorry only for one thing: the novel comes to and end to soon.’ (Ágnes Mészöly, HUBBY-prize winner author)
Zsolt Bernáth
DAY BEFORE TOMORROW, DAY AFTER YESTERDAY
Illustrator: Szabolcs Sajó
Publication date: 2021
Number of pages: 312 Size: 130 x 200 mm
What would you do if you woke up one day and the day would be the previous day? And the day after would be the day before … And you would be abroad, in a strange country…
Orsi covers the 800-kilometre-long journey to Santiago de Compostella with momentum and uncertainties typical of teenagers in order to find out what happened to the torn-off pages of the carefully guarded Callixtus codex. Can she save the father of Lu, her friend? How can she outwit the ghost of El Draco, the dreaded pirate? And how did she get into this adventure at all?
Zsolt Bernáth
Zsolt Bernáth
END OF THE LINE INN
Illustrator: Szabolcs Sajó
Publication date: 2022
Number of pages: 308
Size: 130 x 200 mm
What would you do for your friends? Or anyone else? Almost anything?
In the ancient, ghost-inhabited city of York, fifteen-year-old Orsi is forced to rethink everything she has ever known about life and death. What began as a comically unbelievable ghost story turns into a mystery investigation, and the tangled web of her family’s past must be unravelled if Orsi wants to save her father.
The desperate but determined teenage girl has help from Jon, a slightly haughty English boy whose eccentric uncle is into ghost photography, Angie, a girl who is always cheerful and has special powers for reasons that are often inexplicable, and a strange old man who doesn’t always look in the mirror...
Zsolt Bernáth is a writer and film director. Among his directed feature films, Illusions (2009) and In the Name of Sherlock Holmes (2012) are notable youth films. His articles, short stories, fairy tales, and other writings initially appeared in daily newspapers and later in sci-fi magazines and anthologies.
Ágnes Mészöly
THE SECRET OF DOMES
Cover illustration:
Csenge Koppány
Date of publication: 2020, 2022
Number of pages: 328 I Size: 130 x 200 mm
What is hidden in the domes of the houses in Budapest? What is the cause of the increasing number of strange accidents in the city? Does a famous and rich businessman have anything to do with it?
But on a dull Friday morning, her 5-year-old brother gets lost. It soon turns out that his brother’s disappearance is in connection with the strange inhabitants of the domes and the young girl has to fight with creatures and power she has never dreamt of before.
The heroes of Ágnes Mészöly have to win over their prejudices and fear besides the dangers threatening the city in order to return their normal routine of life – if they really liked to after so many adventures.
THE MYSTERY OF CASEMATES
Cover illustration:
Csenge Koppány, Imola Julianna Szabó
Date of publication: 2024
Number of pages: 320 | Size: 130 x 200 mm
The latest novel by the HUBBY-award-winning author, the sequel to The Secret of Domes!
Panni always longed for a “normal” life, but now she has no idea how to exist in it. Since she lost her special abilities, she has been drifting aimlessly through the world. Despite the raging summer and her super supportive friends, she feels lost. Perhaps they are too helpful. Meanwhile, inexplicable attacks are increasing in Budapest, and it’s only a matter of time before there are victims...
The book can be enjoyed even without knowledge of the previous volume!
The plot of The Mystery of Casemates takes place in real, visitable, viewable locations in Budapest – the book was created for the “Budapest 150” anniversary.
German translation available
Kinga Maksai
MIA & MAJA
Illustrator: János Gárdos
Date of publication: 2019, 2021
Number of pages: 408 | Size: 130 x 200 mm
“My God!
It was 7.20. She deleted the message but she did not really know why. She threw the plate and the mug into the sink, picked up her favourite green, wooly sweater and blue leather jacket, put the earphones into her ears and rushed to catch the bus. While running to the bus stop she thought what would be waiting for her during the day and it made her stomach get cramps, so she turned up the music and started to count her steps. When she arrived at the bus stop she counted the people, the butts
on the ground then turned her bracelet seven times to the left – as she always did so when she was nervous. It helped a bit. She got on the bus, put her glasses back on her nose, sighed and thought that this year was going to be the last difficult one, later it would be easier.”
“Can real friendship exist between a teenage girl and an elderly, lonely woman? I believe, yes. The novel by Kinga Maksai proves it very wisely. Moreover it makes us realize what a great opportunity it is to recognise the young girl in an elderly
woman, and the future mature woman in a young girl, that is Mia in Maja, and Maja in Mia. Their friendship offers us a colourful and exciting story rich in emotions. I recommend this book to readers loaden with memories, busy on their ways and looking into the future.” Erzsi Kertész, writer, psychologist
The book was awarded ’Merítés’ prize in 2018.
Célia Pifkó
MOONLIGHT GUARDIANS. THE HERBAL BOOK
Illustrator: Ildi Horváth
Publication date: 2023, 2024
Number of pages: 208 | Size: 145 x 200 mm
Winner of the Children’s Book of the Year Award in 2024!
Célia Pifkó, the author received one of the highest literary awards in Hungary – Children’s Book of the Year Award by HUBBY with this holiday adventure novel.
English translation available for chapter one
C
Adventure novel on a special island for vacations!
What happens when what you thought was a fairy tale suddenly becomes reality? If it turns out that garden plants are not only fragrant, but also have magical powers? Two teenagers are forced to spend the summer on their eccentric aunt’s island, and they don’t even fathom what complicated family mysteries and ancient secrets are hidden behind the eccentricity of the islanders...
And this is just the beginning of the adventures.
Orsolya Bencsik’s laudation
“Célia Pifkó, like the true witches (or Boronia and her descendants), possesses a rare, otherworldly knowledge accessible only to the initiated: she knows the recipe (herb book) for great young adult novels. This is a great secret and gift, and we can only guess that it requires more than just magic and world-building. It demands plenty of humour, an eternal, boundarycrossing desire for adventure, the restlessness and cheekiness of the adolescent soul. And, of course, it helps to have a quirky aunt who runs over tumbleweeds and several other strange, unusually named, vividly portrayed characters who are more connected to ferns, purple creepers, hops, or an enchanted garden than to reality and the often tedious everyday life. Thanks to Célia Pifkó’s new novel, we can escape from it at any time. I hope that teenagers are just as eagerly awaiting the sequel as I am!”
8+
Andrea Gregušová, Barbora Babča Kardošová, Bogdan Cristian Tudose, Călin Torsan, Claudia Elena Peter, Cornel George Popa, Cristina Centea, Dorothea Ko., Veronika Gertheis, Zsolt Győrei, Bálint Halász, Hana Naglik, Ion Andrei Puican, Jana Bodnárová, Juraj Rayman, Juraj Šebesta, Letti Kátai, János Lackfi, Liviu Chifane, Nóra Majoros, Marek Hudec, Ágnes Mészöly, Oana Paler, Oana Gheorghiţă, Paulína Feriancová, Silvia Demovičová, Réka Zsuzsanna Simon, Anna Somfai, Anna Szabó T., Zuza Ferenczová
CIRCLE DANCE
Publication date: 2024
Number of pages: 148 | Size: 168 x 240 mm
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Illustration:
Adela Holdon, Alexandra Ciocan, Zsófi Almás, Lotte Budai, Diana Popescu, Elena Şteică, Emese Medvés, Eszter Godina, Ioana Sabău, Ira Shlyakhta, Iulia Cristina Tudosie, Zsuzsanna Iván, Juli Jásdi, Sára Kenyeres, Fruzsi Khor, Réka Korcsog, Lenka Šturmankinová, Maria Tender, Nikola Aronová, Oana Hajos, Oľga Trojaková, Paulína Pokryková, Rebeka Póth, Rucsandra Enache, Simona Streberová, Zsófi Szabó, Veronika Pažická, Žaneta Aradská, Zuzana Bartová, Zuzana Šebelová
3 COUNTRIES – 30 WRITERS – 30 ILLUSTRATORS – 12 TRANSLATORS
Circle Dance is the product of a joint creative effort. Three children’s publishers –CERKABELLA Publishing House from Hungary, EDITURA CASA from Romania and ZELENY KOCUR, from Slovakia – came together to work on a European project called “TIME – Together in the Middle of Europe.” The result is the combined work of 10 writers, 10 illustrators, 4 translators, jury members, editorial boards and actors from each country.
Circle Dance is all about belonging together and co-operating with each other, about the joy and the great liberating energy
that comes from tuning into each other and taking up each other’s rhythm.
What has come out of this collaboration is a richly illustrated anthology of writ-
ing for children published in five different languages (hungarian, romanian, slovak, english, german) and in two formats (e-book and audiobook) as well as a travelling exhibition.
CERKABELLA PUBLISHER
HUNGARY
2000 Szentendre, Arany János u. 1.
www.cerkabella.hu
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