Hungary
228
Kertész, Ákos
A nap utcai fiúk (The Sun Street boys)
[Budapest] : Ab Ovo K., 2006. – 155 p.
ISBN 963-9378-50-X
Hungary / Uprising <1956> – Youth
In 1956, a group of teenagers is drawn into the first revolutionary riots in
the Hungarian capital, Budapest, without knowing, let alone understanding,
what the demonstrations are all about. Full of youthful enthusiasm, romantic
ideas, courage, and self-denial, they dive into the events that soon spiral
out of control. Many people even pay with their lives. This novel is based on
factual reports by survivors of the Hungarian uprising. Most of the book
offers a fairly romantic description of the events, yet by drawing a detailed
picture of the young people’s meaningless death, the novel eventually turns
into an accusation against those who sacrifice children and teenagers on the
altar of politics. (14+) <>
229
Kiss, Ottó (text)
Baranyai, András (illus.)
Szerintem mindenki maradjon otthon vasárnap délután (If you ask me, everybody
should stay at home on a Sunday afternoon)
Budapest : Csodaceruza K., 2006. – [36] p.
ISBN 963-06-0090-0
Family – Father – Excursion – Flying
Father Istvan, known to everybody in town as »Hello Istvan«, has a huge belly. Yet, this belly is not a beer belly, it is full of air. Thanks to it, Istvan can rise into the sky and fly across the whole town on the lookout for important events. Although his wife and son are anything but pleased about his airy escapades, Istvan still takes off every Sunday afternoon and leaves them alone until, one night, he returns home late and his dinner is nowhere in sight. Having learned from his mistakes, wise Istvan henceforth gives all the other fathers the good advice to stay home on Sundays. Puns and witty situations paired with a generous dose of nonsense plus reduced, spacious illustrations make this book a truly entertaining read. (5+)
Special Mention
230
Lázár, Zsófia / Lázár, Ervin (text)
Faltisz, Alexandra (illus.)
Bogármese (Beetle tales)
Budapest : Sanoma K., 2006. – 79 p.
(Nök lapja mühely)
ISBN 963-86877-2-X
Father – Daughter – Friendship – Imaginary world
During a walk through the forest, in a mixture of dream and reality, a little girl discovers imaginary creatures from her father’s tales. Father and daughter have created their own little realm inhabited by mysterious beetles and insects, which serves as a mirror for the real world. Friendship, care for others, and diligence as well as malice have the same meaning in this wondrous microcosm as they do in the human world. Thus, the imaginary events in the insects’ world also affect the relationship between father and daughter. In the end, illness and pain are cured in both worlds through the magical flower of love and compassion, and the afternoon walk ends cheerfully for everyone. The water-colour illustrations, carefully adorned with plenty of details, turn this magical narration into a special treat for young readers. With this fairytale-like story, Lázár Zsófia has created a literary memorial for her late father, the author Lázár Ervin. (5+)