Romanian / Romania
Prințul Miorlau
(Prince Miaow)
Cassian, Nina
(text)
Ispir, Oana
(illus.)
Bucureşti: Frontiera, 2022. – 51 p.
ISBN 978-606-8986-52-4
Parents | Child | Behaviour | Poetry
Reading age: 5+
White Ravens issue: 2023
Nina Cassian (1924-2014) was a highly distinctive voice in Romanian literature. Therefore, it is not surprising that her collection of children's poems, short stories in rhyme, and anecdotes – first published in 1957 – is now available in a new edition. In her texts, Cassian takes a close look at the relationship between children and their parents as well as at children’s behaviour. The titular »Prince Miaow« demonstrates the fact that this is by no means always sweet: an only child demandingly miaows its constant wish for new and special things, only to refuse everything offered to him with another »miaow«. Only after cats take over his care and present nothing but mice as food, does the child finally stop his cat-like wailing. Equally mischievous and just as veracious as the texts are the illustrations, which Oana Ispir has newly created for this beautiful compilation. Rendered in warm colours, they capture the key scenes in a thoroughly jovial style. [KW]