A total of 210 applications for participation in the literary contest were received from 31 Ukrainian publishing houses. The organizing committee carefully checked all publications sent by publishing houses for compliance with the requirements. After that, Long lists of books for the competition were formed in three nominations: “Literature for adults”, “Literature for teenagers” and “Literature for children”. Readers’ Choice 2021″.
By the second stage, 79 book novelties from 16 publishing houses were included in the Long List of Books in the “Literature for Children” category.
“In Search of Winter Sleep” by Rumenko Tetiana (“Mushlya” publishing house)
Kvitochka is a small brown bear. She is sure that the world is arranged for the comfort and happiness of animals. But winter came, and the peaceful life of the residents of the “Rehabilitation Center for Brown Bears” was filled with anxiety – someone stole the bears’ sleep. Kvitochka decided to find him and find out who the thief is. So now a long journey, unexpected meetings and many discoveries await the little bear. Go with her – and find out where the bears’ winter sleep went and how to get it back!
“Firk is a super raccoon” by Rumenko Tetyana (“Mushlya” publishing house)
Firk is a grumpy and cunning raccoon who is used to looking out for himself and leading a mischievous lifestyle. But somehow Firk was caught – and he ended up on a fur farm, where he met many other animals. Firk wants to get free. But new acquaintances, new experiences and some very unexpected and scary discoveries will force the furry grunt not only to change his attitude towards others, but also to perform deeds worthy of the title of a superhero.
“Musya and Grandma” by Galina Kirpa (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
It is not easy for homeless cats to live on the street. There is no one to curl up in a ball on the lap, no one to sing a purring lullaby or look out the window at the rain with, instead – cold, hunger and wet bare feet. Sometimes a tiny, lonely street kitten can notice a person with whom he wants to live his whole life. This is what happened to little Musa, who chose her person – Grandma. The story of a touching friendship is told in her new book by the famous writer and translator Galina Kirpa.
“Mission “Rescue”: bears” Yevhenia Zavaliy (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Little bear Christia is caught in the forest and forced to work in a traveling circus. In order for Khrystia to dance, she is placed on a hot platform, so she is forced to shuffle her paws to the music. The trainer is a cruel man who threatens to withhold food from the bear and often beats her when she refuses to dance. Fortunately, animal rights activists come to the circus and free the animals from terrible conditions. Khrystia ends up in a shelter, where other bears, who were freed from captivity, tell her their sad stories. Many of them are no longer able to return to life in the wild. But it is not about Christ. After all, her mother and brother are waiting for her in the Carpathians…
“Kiwi Kiwi” Myroslav Layuk (Stary Lev Publishing House)
Kiwi was born in captivity, because earlier bird catchers caught his parents in New Zealand – in their homeland. And although Kiwi is a bird, he cannot fly. But this does not prevent him from escaping from the zoo. After all, he has strong legs, and he is extremely fast. Life on the loose can be both fun and dangerous. Kiwi is a promising footballer, one of the best in the birds team. But will he and his friends be able to beat the rat team in the match?
Garbage Garbage Truck by Olena Yagubets (Abrikos publishing house)
The garbage truck is the favorite toy car of many children. He is so beloved that the children gave him an interesting name – Garby. From the pages of the book, children will learn where Garby the garbage truck goes during the day, whether it is possible to make friends with him and why it is important to sort garbage.
“Tasty Alphabet” by Marko Teren (“ASSA” publishing house)
Learning the letters of the Ukrainian alphabet with “Tasty Alphabet” is both interesting and very tasty! After all, all the dishes are bright, healthy and so native, because they are prepared by the whole family with a smile and love. The child will look at the wonderful illustrations with pleasure, and thanks to the QR code, he will be able to listen to how creative moms and dads read beautiful and tasty poems; and also to see how, as if in a fairy tale, the pictures come to life on the pages.
“Just about science. How we appear in the world” Bushkovska Nataliya (“ASSA” publishing house)
This encyclopedia tells about the greatest miracle of the world – the emergence of new life. The book provides answers to the most common children’s questions. What happens after mom and dad meet each other? How is childbirth and what awaits the family after the birth of a child? What are newborn babies like and what do they feel?
Chapters of the book:
– How does it all begin?
– How is the birth?
– After childbirth.
– Breastfeeding.
– Infertility.
– Artificial insemination.
– Adoption of a child.
– If the couple does not want children.
– Are mom and dad always there?
– What are babies like?
– What do babies feel?
– Why are we born so helpless?
Reveal all the secrets of birth to children!
“Where and from” by Romana Romanyshyn, Andriy Lesiv (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Nothing in the universe is in a state of absolute rest. Movement is natural: Earth, water on it, atmosphere, continents, all living organisms are in continuous movement. We walk, run, jump, crawl, swim, fly. We are traveling. This book is about movement and journeys: not only people, but also animals, plants, wind, water, our planet. It tells about journeys for trade or conquest, about journeys for pleasure and recreation or for survival, about scientific expeditions and pilgrimages. About migrations, maps, navigation and, ultimately, about finding your own way. Two words that a traveler often hears when traveling are “where” and “from where.” “Where are you going?”, “Where are you from?”. This book is a visual and intellectual journey through thousands of years in search of answers to these and many other questions.
“The Great Cosmic Apchikh” by Slava Svitova (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Little Veronichka does not know how to sneeze quietly. Because of her loud voice, every day she gets into new curious adventures: sometimes she stops the movement of the entire street, sometimes she disrupts the lesson at school. During a trip with her parents to the zoo, she comes up with a witty game: how to tickle the elephant’s heels? So you can fly into space! But how to return to Earth to mom and dad?… This witty picture book of Slava Svitova with illustrations by Anna Lomakina will tell you about it.
“I give my brother for the subscription. Your Instagram diary” Sasha Kochubey (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
In your hands is a two-in-one book. On the one hand, it is a witty novel by Sasha Kochubey about a girl named Zo, who decided to become a popular blogger. It’s not easy to portray yourself as an exemplary influencer when your dog’s favorite toy is underwear, and your little brother is tooting your horns during photoshoots and chipping at your nail polish. You will find out whether Zo will be able to gain a million subscribers after reading the book. If you turn the book over, you will get an insta-diary for beginner bloggers. The author shares big and small insta-secrets: how to develop a blogging strategy, design a profile header, what photos to post, how to shoot a video and live broadcasts, how to differentiate yourself from other blogs. Instadaily is almost like a school diary, only more fun: with lessons, but without grades and rules.
“Myroslava and others from our court” by Olga Kupriyan (Stary Lev Publishing House)
“Myroslava and others from our yard” is a funny and sincere novel for young readers by the writer Olga Kupriyan about all those miracles and vicissitudes that happen to us only in childhood, when you are ten and vacations are a whole life lasting in the summer! Nikita and Miroslava are friends, quarrel and make up again, learn to earn their first money by walking grandmother Sonia’s dog or little Zlata, try to summon Rubber Ass… And they also live together all the joys and sorrows and know how to enjoy small things – like a piece of the “Mriya” plane in the sky!
“Where are you Dino?” Oleksandr Orlov (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Dina is a land turtle. But together with his little owner, he goes on a journey to the sea. It is not surprising that the boy has to constantly look for her when they are outside the city residence. And his beloved grandfather Mykola helps him in his search. He used to be a ship captain and now works as a lighthouse keeper, so he has lots of interesting stories and activities for his grandson. Grandpa and little one are the two best friends. Together, they take care of the lighthouse, and at the end of the vacation, the boy receives a wonderful gift from his grandfather, which will remind him of the summer at the seaside – with his grandfather and the irrepressible Dina.
“The Happiest Lion” Oleksandr Shatokhin (Stary Lev Publishing House)
In hot Africa lives Levenya, who dreams of being a musician. But Tato-lion is against it, because he believes that Levenia should become the king of beasts. And for this one must learn to growl menacingly, and not to play and sing. Will Levenyat have to give up his own dream?
“Sam, without problems” by Oksana Lushchevska (Stary Lev Publishing House)
Sam goes to ballroom dancing and even wins honors. However, one day dad decides that the boy must become a real fighter – and enrolls him in the hand-to-hand combat section. And here the real adventures begin. Will Sam be able to withstand a much stronger opponent? Will Angelinka find her dance partner? You will learn about everything while traveling through the pages of this dynamic, humorous book.
“Love, Grandfather and Tomatoes” Nataliya Yasinovska (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Thirteen-year-old Olesya lives with her grandparents and lives an ordinary teenage life: she goes to school, spends time with her best friends Inna and Alina, looks at boys… Until at one point everything changes. Her beloved literature teacher is replaced by a young student, and the girl’s grandfather suddenly falls ill. Olesya is left alone with her experiences. Until the new teacher offers the students to keep a school blog, where the girl vents her feelings. Yes, step by step, her life takes on new and completely unexpected colors.
“The Ghost Who Couldn’t Sleep” by Natalka Maletych (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
A ghost lives in an abandoned house on the outskirts of the city. He is terribly lonely, since there are no people around to visit in the evening. Turn off the night lamp for someone who fell asleep with a book, cover the child with a blanket. And then, returning home, sleep sweetly for the whole day. Ghost has lost sleep since all his neighbors moved out. However, one day everything changes. After all, a young family with a girl is moving into the haunted house…
“Easter Story” Natalka Maletych (Stary Lev Publishing House)
Jonah is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary destiny. Children on the streets of Capernaum tease him with Znaida, because the boy is being raised by an elderly widow who found him young on the shore of Lake Gennesaret. Jonah wants to be a fisherman, like most of the men in his town, and he also dreams of a good father like Jesus. The boy cannot even imagine that the Teacher will soon face difficult trials… “The Easter Story” invites readers to travel back in time to the origins of Christianity, when Jesus lived and preached in Capernaum, and Jonah, most likely, was among those who listened to the Teacher and lived imitating His teachings.
“Honey and Pate – fantastic wind blowers” by Ulyan Chub (“A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA” publishing house)
Pate the rabbit and Honey the bear are close friends. Pate is a skilled cook with a heart sensitive to beauty, and Honey is an appreciative foodie who carries a backpack of family heirlooms over her shoulders. Friends travel around the world on Khumasi’s motorcycle – France, the Carpathians, the Zeleny Peninsula… There are many adventures ahead of them – sometimes funny, and sometimes scary. Hold on, the motorcycle is rattling again… Let’s go after them, after these restless wind turbines, about which the talented young writer Ulyana Chuba wrote so wonderfully.
“Where dreams wander” by Rostislav Popskyi (“A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA” publishing house)
The new book “Where Dreams Wander”, drawn and written by the leading Ukrainian illustrator Rostyslav Popskyi, invites children from 2 to 102 to the world of children’s dreams…
“Steamboats and whales” Hryhoriy Falkovich (A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA publishing house)
This is a book of new and newest poems by the classic of modern Ukrainian children’s literature Hryhoriy Falkovych. How fortunate that this incredible poet lives and actively works somewhere near us – a sage, a wit, a joker and a gentle lyricist, whose amazing poems are memorable almost from the first reading! The book was illustrated by two brilliant young artists — Yana Grankovska and Rostyslav Popskyi.
“A large illustrated book of fairy tales. Volume 2” Compiled by Ivan Malkovych (A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA publishing house)
Fairy tales by Ukrainian and foreign writers with drawings by leading Ukrainian illustrators. Editing and general editing by Ivan Malkovych.
“How to mold a snowman” by Olenka Bugrenkov (“A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA” publishing house)
Two inseparable friends the rabbit Ronnie and the bug Cook are looking for new adventures. Last time they almost got to the moon, and now they decided to make a snowman. And they succeeded to their credit, but… You will learn about “but” and everything else when you read this wonderful book by Olena Bugrenkova.
This is the second volume in the series about Ronnie and Cook. The book is made of light, high-quality cardboard, which will withstand reading and violent examination of the most active children 😉
“Panda likes to travel” by Lesya Movchun (Stary Lev Publishing House)
Traveling through the pages of Lesia Movchun’s poetry collection, children make friends with her characters – a panda, hedgehogs, elephants, polar bears, snails and a bragging dog, drawn with love by illustrator Nataliya Oliynyk. Each poem in the book is also a wonderful language game: there are tongue twisters, counters, and endless rhymes, thanks to which you can develop a child’s speech and train his memory. “Panda likes to travel” is an indispensable book for fun family reading.
“A fast horse and a very bicycle adventure” by Yurii and Tetiana Gaidai (“Yakaboo Publishing”)
Oles lives in a town near the mountains. He often looks at them from afar and dreams of going there on his bicycle. In the end, Oles goes on a journey with his father, a rescue helicopter pilot. Who will they meet there and what secret will they reveal? Who are “fast-footed” and how to become one of them?
“A fast and very bicycle adventure” is a story about childhood and growing up, about trails in the mountains and in life. And about how diverse the world is. Especially when you are on a bicycle! The artistic story is supplemented with interesting cognitive inserts. Young and old readers will learn about special chromolka and magic sealant, learn to distinguish between a city bike and a mountain bike, and find out how to prepare for a two-wheeled trip. The authors of the book, Yura and Tanya, are not professional cyclists, but they adore rovers and teach their children to ride two-wheeled vehicles from an early age.
“The Lazy One Who Loved to Run” by Olesya Keshelya-Isak (“Yakaboo Publishing”)
The book was shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year BBC-2020 award. The debut of the year in prose” according to the results of the “Top BaraBuka” rating. This is a fun and moving story for children about running, love, friendship, support, and learning about yourself and the world around you. The main character Theo does not know how to sit still and loves to run the most. Just like his mother, for whom running is an integral part of life. Theo knows a lot about runners, but when he prepares to take part in a children’s race, he has a lot of questions. What does it take to become a champion? How to learn to always be first? And the most important thing is how and when to reveal his secret to his mother, which will explain why he is so “fidgety”?…In addition to the fiction, the book contains informative information: how to eat for young runners, how to choose comfortable sneakers, what is the heart rate and why it is important to measure it, what are marathons, half-marathons and children’s races and how to participate in them. And every young reader who reads the book to the end is guaranteed to receive a medal.
In the second stage, each expert of the “Literature for Children” nomination will choose five candidate books from this list, which they will place in order of ranking.
Accordingly:
1st place (5 points) — winner and further
II place (4 points),
III place (3 points),
IV place (2 points),
V place (1 point).
The organizing committee, by counting points, will determine 3 books that will go to the third stage of voting. These finalist works will be presented at the discretion of readers in libraries throughout Ukraine. During this voting, the final winner will be determined.
Book prize “Espreso. “Readers’ Choice” was founded by the “Espreso” TV channel and is supported by the NGO “Demforum”. Its presentation took place on May 18, 2017 as part of the “Book Arsenal” in Kyiv.
The award is designed to celebrate the best Ukrainian modern literary novelties of the year, to support the interest of Ukrainians in reading books by domestic authors. To help readers choose interesting books, and publishers to find a way to readers. The winners of the Prize will be announced at the beginning of December 2021 on the air of the “Espreso” TV channel, on the “Espreso.TV” and “Demforum” websites.
