Branko Ćopić (1915–1984)

Originally published in Serbian as Ježeva kućica, this classic children's poem follows the adventures of Hedgemond the Hunter, a valiant little hedgehog who understands the value of home. Invited to his friend Fox's for dinner, he accepts with alacrity, and enjoys the experience. But when night falls he heads for home, despite his hostess's insistence that he stay the night, thus setting off a chase - insulted by his rejection of her hospitality, Fox follows him home, determined to discover what is so special about his residence, and is joined by Wolf, Bear and Boar along the way - that highlights his simple homelike virtue, and his pursuers' misguided disregard for the important things in life.

This cute little picture-book, published in 2011 by the London-based Istros Books, a small press set up to promote Balkan literature in the UK, marks the first time that Branko Ćopić's famous poem has been made available in English. I hope that Istros continues to publish translations of the children's book from that region of the world! Told in rhyming verse - "Like a velvet shawl laid over the land / Outside the window night is at hand..." - the story is engaging, although once or twice the narrative stumbles a bit. I suspect that it must have been fiendishly difficult to translate this in rhyming couplets! The artwork, done in this edition by Sanja Rešček, is colorful and cute, although I did find it odd that the wild boar was green. All in all, a sweet little tale, one I would recommend to children who enjoy animals fables, as well as to those who like stories with a rollicking rhyme.… (more)