Pokličite nas: +386 (0) 14 372 101
  |  
Do brezplačne dostave vam manjka še 30.00

How to Hug a Hedgehog

    Kategorija:

    This remarkable picture book skilfully blends the realms of written and visual expression, intertwining them in a distinctive and captivating manner. How to Hug a Hedgehog? serves as both a linguistic and visual narrative, chronicling the earnest desire of a hedgehog to experience the warmth of a real and sincere hug.

    About the book:

    As we are all aware, hugging a hedgehog can often lead to discomfort or even pain, prompting the forest’s inhabitants to be cautious about granting such a request. Nevertheless, the hedgehog’s unfulfilled yearning remains strong. The hedgehog finds himself on the brink of despair until a boy named Bobby, dressed in a fox costume, extends a helping hand. Bobby endeavours through various inventive methods, including the creation of a hugging machine for the hedgehog. However, this mechanical embrace fails to capture the authenticity of a real one. The hedgehog’s despair deepens, but Bobby is no quitter. He crafts an inflatable suit that allows him to hug the hedgehog without the risk of being pricked. Yet, a sudden gust of wind carries Bobby away, sending him splashing into a nearby lake. In an act of bravery, the hedgehog rushes to rescue his friend from the water. Touched by this selfless act, Bobby reciprocates by offering the hedgehog a genuine, heartfelt and real hug. The following morning brings an unexpected sight – a queue of animals waiting outside the hedgehog’s dwelling. Can you guess what their shared desire might be?

    Rights sold to: Germany, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, UAE, Pakistan, Greece, Croatia.

    Nominations and awards:

    Kristina Brenkova Award for Original Slovenian Picture Book in 2022

    Nomination for “Desetnica” award in 2023

    Nomination for “Večernica” award in 2022

    As Igor Saksida, the president of the jury for Kristina Brenkova Award, mentioned during the award announcement,

    “the text can be read on multiple levels: as a nonsensical story about desire and its humorous (un)fulfillment, as a thematic exploration of loneliness, the contrast between self-sufficiency or self-absorption and caring for others, and as a reflection on otherness in a sense that we usually have more in common than it seems.”

    According to the assessment of the jury for the Award,

     “Škerl’s illustrations create an especially interesting layer in the picture book. They capture the reader’s attention in various ways, among which the most noteworthy might be the subtle use of duality, involving two- and multicolored visual techniques. Additionally, the illustrations convey a sense of movement of the book’s characters. Therefore, it is a successful fusion of visual and textual language that complement each other, thus creating a visual-textual monolith,”

    In the media:

    “How to Hug a Hedgehog is an exceptionally heartwarming book about caring for one’s fellow being. It doesn’t disappoint when it comes to creativity in finding ways to hug a prickly forest animal. In fact, it offers additional imaginative ideas, such as excuses for not hugging a hedgehog. The book also features diverse characters, including a small turtle and a jay who suggests that their friend, a magpie, should move to a better part of the forest, claiming that the current area is full of weirdos. What’s particularly well-executed and meaningful is that, in the end, no one gets pricked by hugging the hedgehog in the most ordinary way. Peter Škerl’s illustrations are a perfect complement and splendidly contribute to the text’s slightly melancholic-yet-endearing, fun, and heartwarming nature. The hedgehog, who is mostly a combination of genuinely sad but also slightly comical character, as he theatrically flops on the ground in despair at times, is depicted in an endearing way with spikes that don’t appear excessively sharp. Bobby, dressed in orange tones, exudes warmth, compassion, and a positive outlook through color. The illustrator enhances the described and perceptible atmosphere with colors and constantly plays with perspective, especially from an overhead view, creating a unique dynamic. Another excellent work by Jana Bauer and brilliant illustrations by Peter Škerl, indeed.”  Gaja Kos, Delo.

    About the Author:

    Jana Bauer is a best-selling children’s author. Her works are full of witty humor and unconventional ideas, sometimes bordering on nonsense. Her books are particularly recognizable for its imaginative richness, providing a highly convincing anchor for fully developed, complex, and unique characters. In her stories, the invented worlds come to life with astonishing details, whether they fall under the domain of realistic fiction or belong to the realm of fantasy.

    With her adept command of dramaturgy, a skill honed during her studies at the University of Ljubljana, and linguistic dexterity that makes clever dialogues practically resonate in the reader’s mind, it comes as no surprise that the vast majority of Jana Bauer’s literary works have garnered enthusiastic readership and earned acclaim from the professional community. Jana Bauer is also known for her successful book The Scarry Fairy (Groznovilca), which has been translated into 19 languages and was nominated for the “Desetnica” and “Večernica” awards, two main awards for children’s literature in Slovenia.

    About the Illustrator:

    Peter Škerl is one of the most prominent contemporary Slovenian illustrators. With a keen sense for illustrating literary content, he employs various painting techniques and their combinations to develop a distinctive visual expression. In the past, he co-created theater and puppet shows, initially as an amateur actor and later as a creator of visual images. He has visually designed puppet and dance performances.

    On his journey as an illustrator, he has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Hinko Smrekar Award for illustrations in 2012. His illustrations were also featured in the international illustration exhibition at the Bologna Book Fair in 2014. He has been nominated three times for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and twice for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2021, he received the prestigious Hinko Smrekar Plaque.


    Shopping Cart