Spain
(Galician)
150
Fernández Paz, Agustín (text)
Alonso, Juan Ramón (illus.)
O meu nome é Skywalker (My name is Skywalker)
Madrid : Ed. SM, 2003. – 89 p.
(O barco de vapor ; 27)
ISBN 84-348-9535-8
Poverty – Beggar – Indifference – Exclusion – Friendship
One day, Raquel looks out the window and sees a poorly dressed man with a tin
and a cardboard sign sitting in front of the department store opposite her
house. People simply walk by, and except for a few children no one seems to
notice him. This leads the girl to conclude that the man must be invisible and
decides to find out his secret. In his characteristic calm and simple voice,
the well-known Galician author tells a gripping novel of people who live on
the margins of our often indifferent and consumerist society. (9+)
(Premio O Barco de Vapor; 2003)
151
Mejuto, Eva (adapt.)
Manero, Elia (illus.)
O zapateiro e os trasnos (The shoemaker and the elves)
Pontevedra : Kalandraka, 2003. – [36] p.
(Os contos do trasno)
ISBN 84-8464-212-7
Elf – Shoemaker – Helpfulness – Magic – Curiosity – Betrayal
One morning, a shoemaker and his wife make a surprising discovery: The shoes
the craftsman hadn’t finished the day before are now standing all prim and
proper in the workshop. From this day on, this curious event keeps repeating
itself without fail – until the two people are overcome by curiosity and
surprise their little helpers. They are elves, and because they don’t like
publicity, they quickly disappear, never to return. Eva Mejuto recounts this
popular folk tale with a great sense of humour. Elia Manero’s illustrations,
imaginative collages made from various material, offer a fresh and original
interpretation of the classic tale. (5+)
152
Nunca máis! : a ollada da infancia (Never again! : the wave of children)
Pontevedra : Kalandraka, 2003. – [52] p.
ISBN 84-8464-188-0
Galicia/2002 – Sea – Coast – Shipwreck – Oil catastrophe –
Environmental protection
This outstanding book was created after the terrible oil spill caused by the
shipwreck of the tanker Prestige off the coast of Galicia in November
2002. Using texts, paintings, and drawings, local children express their
emotions and thoughts, fear, sadness, and indignation concerning this »black
flood« and the adults’ irresponsibility. This volume is an »appeal for
more civil action and a stronger sense of community voiced by those who are
usually condemned to be silent bystanders: the children.« The book is
remarkable both for the urgency of the young people’s message and for the
quality and creativity of their texts and pictures. (5+)