Ukrainian / Ukraine
Visim dniv iz žyttja Burunduka
(Eight days in the life of a chipmunk)
Andrusjak, Ivan
(Andrusyak, Ivan)
(text)
Osadko, Hanna
(Osadko, Hanna)
(illus.)
Kyiv: Hranit, 2012. – 67 p.
(Series: Knyhoterapija)
ISBN 978-966-465-369-2
School | Outsider | Self-confidence
Reading age: 9+
White Ravens issue: 2013
Things aren’t easy for Ivas’ Bondaruk, nicknamed “Burunduk” (Chipmunk). In the classroom he’s a smart aleck, and on the field he’s a zero – those facts don’t endear one to others. A way out presents itself, though. According to his grandmother’s tales, if one carries an egg under one’s arm for eight days and remains utterly mute, then a little devil slips out of the egg and will grant all wishes. When Ivas’ tries this out, he gets into hot water mainly because of the code of silence. Told from the boy’s perspective, the story describes the boy’s struggle with a light touch and a great deal of humour. Ivan Andrusjak’s authorial talent shows particularly in the subtle narrative undertones that point to the deep inner insecurity that an outsider like Ivas’ faces.