Polish / Poland
Drań czyli moje życie z jamnikiem
(Drán, or my life with a dachshund)
Stanecka, Zofia
(text)
Sztyma, Marianna
(illus.)
Warszawa: Kropka, 2022. – 160 p.
ISBN 978-83-67157-92-6
Childhood | Dog | Poland | History 1980s | Pet
Reading age: 9+
White Ravens issue: 2023
Zofia, who grows up in the 1980s, has one dearest wish: She longs to have her own dog. When dachshund Drań (i.e. Bastard) finally comes to live with her and her family, their world is turned upside down – both with happiness and literally; because Drań has a strong personality. The little dog takes up lots of space in bed, won’t touch the most delicious food, but loves to fish things out of the rubbish bin and devour them on walks. In her autobiographical story, Zofia Stanecka uses short episodes to reminisce about the relationship between Drań and herself as a child. She focuses on the plethora of small moments and scenes that are part of a dog’s life, or rather, of living with a dog. From the child protagonist’s perspective, she empathetically describes Drań’s visit to the vet, how he becomes house-trained, how he shreds pillows, slippers, and tassels, and how he protects the family against the socialist authorities during a raid. Marianna Sztyma has captured adorable Drán in cheeky illustrations and drawings. [KW]