The Adventures of Shola

The adventures of that delightfully deceptive pooch Shola, whose story has been chronicled in multiple volumes by Basque author Bernardo Atxaga, are collected here in this English-language edition. The four stories contained herein have been published separately, originally in Basque and then in Spanish. The first, Shola and the Lions, has also been published separately in English translation. The stories here are amusing, and the artwork from Basque illustrator Mikel Valverde is droll. Selections include:

Shola and the Lions (originally: Xolok badu lehoien berri), in which our canine heroine imagines herself a noble lion, only to discover that hunting for food isn't as agreeable as being served some nice mince by her human, Señor show more Grogó...

Shola and the Wild Boar (originally: Xola eta basurdeak), in which Shola imagines herself winning some laurels as a huntress of wild boar, when Señor Grogó's obligations force him into such an activity. Of course, Shola has no idea what wild boar actually are, and that knowledge changes her views...

Shola and Angeliño (originally: Xola eta Angelito), in which Shola visits her "country cousin," while Señor Grogó visits Angeliño's human. Attempting to help Angeliño with his obsessive hunt for a defiant mouse, Shola and her new relative eventually decide that eating cheese is more pleasant...

Shola and the Aunt from America (originally: Xola eta Ameriketako izeba), in which Shola's vision of herself as a free creature is challenged by the arrival of Señor Grogó's Aunt Clementine, visiting from Wyoming. Is Shola more attached to routine than she wants to admit, and is Aunt Clementine perhaps not as attached to using a leash with dogs, as might first seem apparent...?

All in all, this was a delightful little book, one I am happy to have tracked down, after enjoying the first story in its individual publication. Shola is an appealing character, and her flaws are drawn with an amusing but humane touch by Atxaga. I understand that there are a few more Shola adventures, only available in Basque as yet. I certainly hope that they are translated soon! Highly recommended, both to young readers who enjoy animal fiction, and to those who like stories with a quirky sense of humor. show less