A total of 210 applications for participation in the literary contest were received from 31 publishing houses of Ukraine. The organizing committee carefully checked all the publications sent by the 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.
“Kotyhoroshka. Tangled tales” Anastasia Lavrenishyna, Halyna Tkachuk, Oksana Lushchevska, Alina Shtefan, Mia Marchenko, Valentina Vzdulska, Sasha Kochubei, Anna Khromova (Ranok publishing house)
Modern authors often turn to fairy tales, reinterpret them and create new texts – fairy tales in a new way. The collection “Kitten” contains eight tangled fairy tales by Ukrainian children’s writers. Anastasia Lavrenishyna tells an alternative story of Kolobok, Halyna Tkachuk introduces readers to Olenka Zmiyuchka, and Oksana Lushchevska presents Marie, a wise girl with a high IQ. In her fairy tale, Alina Shtefan travels to planet 581g to Kira’s “crooked duck”, while Mia Marchenko’s fairy tale takes readers to Podil, where Kozhumyaka and Princess Anna save Kyiv. Valentina Vzdulska tells the story of the dog and the wolf in a new way, and Sasha Kochubei presents a new heroine – Kotygoroshka. And in conclusion – a parable-tale by Anya Khromova about a heart in an iron chest.
“How to roar correctly” by Olesya Mamchich (“Ranok” publishing house)
Sometimes it’s quite useful to read… instructions. In her collection of poems for children, Olesya Mamchich gives a whole list of tips on how to howl properly. And it also tells what to do when a mouse gets into the house, how to scare away all the fears of the world and where to get goats. The heroes of Olesya’s poems are wise moles, a hatched shovel, predatory skis, a chameleon, bags, a flying donkey, a suitcase… The author’s texts are full of unusual rhymes, similes, verbal puns, so they are sure to entertain both children and adults.
“Viktor_Robot.Diary of a collector of planets” by Anastasia Lavrenishin (“Ranok” publishing house)
Viktor_Robot, the main mechanic of the artificial star Zoryana, flies to Earth to the girl Vika – the granddaughter of Zoryana’s inventor. His goal is to find out how the iron star was created and for whom it should shine. Vika can’t answer all of Victor’s questions, but she does have the Planet Collector’s Diary. Grandfather Markiyan wrote it just when he was inventing Zoryana. Together with Viktor_Robot and Vika, readers of Anastasia Lavrenishyna’s book will dive into the world of dreams, astrophysical theories and their practical application, fly to the Moon, cross the Universe and return to their native land again.
“UFO behind the village” by Nataliya Bon (“Ranok” publishing house)
Unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, land where they are not supposed to be seen. And of course, they do it at night. However, if the UFO decided to land behind the village of Bilenky, the secret is unlikely to remain a secret. Aliens have decided to conquer Earth. But our planet has brave defenders.
“Chubzyky” Serhiy Loskot (“Ranok” publishing house)
In a small village with the funny name of Trivka-Dmy, there lives a man named Penzlyk. Nearby, in other hamlets and settlements, his fellow tribesmen live peacefully, and behind the village meadows – the old wizard Nobody – the oldest chubzik and Penzlyk’s great-great-grandfather. However, after a hundred-year hibernation, the White Queen wakes up. She wants to regain her power, capture and enslave not only the Chubziks and residents of the Hundred and One Kingdoms, but also the glorious Myla-Moor – the city of cats and former witches. A sinister army of stuffed animals comes to her aid. Who will restore peace?
“Fairies and the Elixir of Happiness” by Yulita Ran (“Ranok” publishing house)
Do you think that fairies are fragile creatures who just flutter from flower to flower in cute lace dresses all day long? But no! They, like people, are different. Asha, Torry, Lycaea and Glianna are four modern fairies who live in the big city. And although they are tiny, like butterflies, they do not lack courage! But will the friends finally manage to defeat the evil professor and save the City from his dangerous elixir? To find out, just open the book!
“Fairies and the Crystal of Life” by Yulita Ran (“Ranok” publishing house)
Do you think that fairies are fragile creatures who only flutter from flower to flower in lace dresses? But no! They, like people, are different. Asha, Torry, Lycaea and Glianna are four modern fairies who live in the big city. And although they are tiny, like butterflies, they do not lack courage! This time, the friends went to distant Brazil… where they found themselves in the middle of a fierce struggle between jungle fairies and dangerous banana spiders. That’s right! Quickly open the book.
“An Epidemic of Good Behavior” by Stanislav Solovinsky (“Ranok” publishing house)
This is a story about how the children of one kindergarten group suddenly start doing good deeds. At home, in kindergarten or outside – every day for a good deed. And if it doesn’t work out, they don’t come up with anything – they get nervous, almost panic, which really surprises their parents. What is the reason for the mysterious epidemic of good behavior?
“Squirrels, Skipper, Albatross, or The Story of How Snowboarding Began” by Eva Solska (Ranok publishing house)
A fun and dynamic story about two little squirrels who are always looking for adventures and are not afraid of anything. Their desire for the new and the unknown is the driving force behind this story. It is permeated with good humor and the magical atmosphere of the winter forest. The story very easily and sincerely tells about loyalty, friendship and courage.
“The Lilac Bear, or the Living Toy Me” by Maryana Goryanska (“Ranok” publishing house)
This is a touching story about the friendship between the boy Romchik and his lilac bear Buni. The bear shares all the joys and sorrows with the boy, helps him overcome illness and fears, and gives him all the love that his plush heart can hold. The book gives the reader the feeling that any magic is possible as long as the heart is able to love and believe in a miracle.
“Secret Order of the Great Stingray” by Hanna Buyaji (Ranok publishing house)
Once upon a time, extremely wise people lived on earth who knew how to listen and hear each other. And for this they did not need words, because they heard with their hearts. Over time, people lost their gift and became deaf to each other. It was then that an unusual girl, Svitanka, was born, who did not know how to speak the language of people, but imitated all the sounds of nature and, most importantly, knew how to listen and sing with her heart. Later, Svitanka had friends who also learned this art. Together, they were able to create real miracles and change the world for the better.
“Let’s be friends!” Anastasia Merenkova (Ranok publishing house)
This is a story about a little wolf. One day, Mom gave Wulf two candies – for him and for his new friend, whom the wolf cub still had to find. But the kid did not understand why he needed friends with whom he would have to share candy. After all, Wulf did not like to share, but he loved sweets very much! How will a wolf find a friend if no one wants to be friends with the greedy? Maybe happiness is not in candy?
“Hedgehog and Maple Leaf” by Eva Solska (“Ranok” publishing house)
This story is about the little hedgehog Grigoryk. He loves sweets and mom and dad very much. And play with friends. Once the hedgehog forgot to congratulate his mother on her birthday. And now what to cheer her up?
“Kitten and the Sun” by Eva Solska (“Ranok” publishing house)
This is a story about a small and very inquisitive kitten Bonya. Once, a red bug with black spots sat right on his nose – a ladybug. I have never seen such a kitten. Bonnie wondered why these bugs were called that. Maybe because they are useful? Is it because they live in heaven? Or maybe we are all sunshine for our loved ones and relatives?
“My super grandfather” Hennadiy Melamed (“Ranok” publishing house)
This is a story about a little squirrel Bella, who was forbidden to eat sweets, because she is allergic. Bella was very angry and ran away to her grandparents: they love her and will let her eat chocolate! How to convince a child to temporarily give up sweets and reconcile her with her parents? It’s good that the grandfather has a superpower – wisdom and love for his granddaughter.
“Bear fishing” Hennadiy Melamed (“Ranok” publishing house)
Once the children’s writer Gennady Melamed met a real gentleman – a toy bear Mr. Whitham. Mr. Whitham was so kind in communication and manners that he inspired Gennady to write a story about the life of the small bear town Honey Deal. The book “Bear Fishing” is permeated with subtle humor, it tells about gentlemanly friendship, ingenious inventions, music and fishing. And the unusual combination of illustrations and photos of toys blurs the line between reality and fiction and gives the impression that this story really happened.
“The Great Journey” Hennadiy Melamed (“Ranok” publishing house)
Once upon a time, rumors about the existence of a large cave, where giants lived in ancient times, reached a small bear town called Medovy Dil. Immediately, two brave bear friends – Mr. Whitham and the crazy inventor Mr. Taunton – set out to explore the dwelling of the giants, not afraid of danger and the unknown. “The Great Journey” is a story about friendly support, subtle humor, ingenuity and home comfort, which is sure to greet a traveler after long journeys. And the unusual combination of illustrations and photos of toys blurs the line between reality and fiction and gives the impression that this story really happened.
“Mesozoic on the fourth floor” Stanislav Solovinskyi (“Ranok” publishing house)
“Mesozoic on the fourth floor” is a book about smart, clever and, one might even say, strong people! What to do if diplodocus eggs were laid in your apartment? And suddenly the thieves got in? And if the pet triceratops got sick? All these problems the heroes of the book click like seeds! But it is more difficult with a slipper, which is independently carried around the neighborhood. Or maybe mom suddenly decided that it’s time for you to learn Chinese. These are problems! But the heroes of the Mesozoic stories on the fourth floor will try to cope with this too!
“Talalayk’s Space Adventure” by Tetiana Vynnyk (Bukrek Publishing House)
In the second book by Tetyana Vinnyk, incredible space adventures await the more mature Darinka and Talalayk. They meet new friends and go all the way to space in an inflatable balloon! Together with the heroes, the reader will learn what the planets of the Solar System look like, what is the mass of the Sun, who is called Earth’s twin, and how many years it takes to cross the Galaxy. The book, like the Universe with stars, is dotted with good jokes, sayings and children’s discoveries. For little and not only readers who want to know what the solar wind, the Oort cloud and the asteroid belt are.
“Seven holiday wishes. Overheard and recorded from Iceland to China” by Yulita Ran, Sashko Dermanskyi, Miya Marchenko, Oleg Chaklun, Oksana Davydova, Yuliya Ilyukha, Hanna Osadko (“Chitarium” publishing house)
A colorful collection of fairy tales “Seven holiday wishes. Overheard and recorded from Iceland to China” created by talented Ukrainian writers and illustrators will become a real symbol of winter holidays. It will introduce children to the traditions of different countries in an exciting way and will give a magical mood.
“Alphabet for restlessness” by Iryna Tkachuk (“Chitarium” publishing house)
If you thought that learning letters was boring, then you just didn’t get your hands on “Alphabet for the restless”. The book is not just an alphabet, but also a fun movement. That is why the process of learning letters is easy and fun. The child will be happy to repeat all the movements of the characters, and will also get to know the diverse world of animals. The alphabet was developed taking into account all the recommendations of an age-related physiologist, so the movements proposed in it will be simple, understandable and useful for every child. The peculiarity of “Alphabet for restless people” is that it is created using only food dyes. This will help to completely avoid allergic reactions if the child literally wants to “bite the granite of science”. Learn letters in a new way, developing the child’s abilities, strengthening his physical health and having fun!
“Maika Palivoda chooses a profession” by Mia Marchenko (“Chitarium” publishing house)
“Maika Palivoda chooses a profession” by Mia Marchenko is the first book in the series. It’s a fun unusual story with “living” characters and curious events. The plot tells about an ordinary girl Maya, whom everyone calls simply Mike. She has a noisy family and two temperamental cats, loyal friends who are unlike each other and many preferences. But one day Maitya is given a homework assignment to write a report about what profession she wants to have in the future. Such a question is difficult for Maika, because she would dance, and swim, and take pictures, and climb high mountains, and be a detective, and much more… What will the girl choose? Learn from the book. Young readers will definitely like the book about Mike, because it touches on such important topics for them and reveals them, it entertains and makes you laugh heartily, it gives a good mood and exciting pastime!
“The Fly, the Bell and Christmas” by Vika Miziuk (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
Little Mukha (whose real name is Mariyka) is waiting for unusual winter holidays. Her grandmother ends up in the hospital, and there is almost no contact with her. On St. Nicholas, among other gifts, the girl receives an amazing silver bell, which has magical power. Who gave it to her and why? She needs to have time to prepare for Christmas and for grandmother’s return, to take care of herself and the cat, the flocks of birds that for some reason flooded the city, the mysterious White Lady who appeared out of nowhere, and most importantly – to solve the mystery of the silver bell. Without her best friend Lucy and her fiercest enemy Andriy Mucha, she would not have been able to cope with all this. And also – I would not have known that miracles happen and even the coldest heart can melt from a sincere friendly touch.
“E-stories of Eka’s excavator” by Victoria Amelina (Stary Lev Publishing House)
Eka is a small excavator. But his adventures are big, sometimes on a global scale. He, like a real superhero, can harm or save the world. Eka likes to tell about his amazing adventures: how he scooped up half the sea with a bucket, how he plucked a star from the sky, how he almost stole an iceberg in Antarctica. Eka really wants to be useful. Either he will help St. Nicholas, or he will bring a dinosaur skeleton to the museum, or he will save his beloved park from destruction. Maybe, like the famous Baron Munchausen, Eka exaggerates a little in his e-e-stories? But they are also “E-e-stories of the excavator Eka” – funny stories of the most talkative excavator in the world.
“36 and 6 rescue cats” by Galina Vdovichenko (“Stary Lev Publishing House”)
“36 and 6 rescue cats” is the new, fourth book in a row of the cat epic by the famous Ukrainian writer Halyna Vdovichenko, which readers-fans are eagerly waiting for. This time, restless tailed heroes create a cat rescue service. Cats go on challenges, but they do not manage to feel like real rescuers. They are pursued by failure after failure: sometimes they pull out a raccoon from a machine with chips, which does not consider itself a victim, then they grab a package with dry food that someone lost from under the wheels on the expressway, and instead of thanks, they receive accusations of theft… During the next call, Commentator-Black Cat mysteriously disappears. While friends everywhere are looking for him, a campaign to discredit the rescue cats is unfolding in the city. Will the cats manage to get out of trouble and dangers that are lurking at them from everywhere – read in an interesting and dynamic story with wonderful illustrations by Natalka Haida.
“Mysteries” by Galina Vdovichenko (Stary Lev Publishing House)
In the center of Lviv, tiny winged girls and boys live on the roofs – mistels. These are city elves. Each of them has their own tower, their own work and common entertainment in the air. One day their carefreeness will come to an end. The city’s dungeons will be taken over by mutant rats that will threaten the entire city. Not only humans and mistels will have to defend themselves…
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.
