About the book

At the publishing house Didakta, we have decided to publish Naježene prigode by the established Slovenian author Tatjana Kokalj who has been very lucrative in the past years. Since 1997 she has put out 14 books. Last year, Didakta published her collection of dramatic texts for children Slamnati bikec. Naježene prigode is a collection of 10 stories about hedgehogs Mik and Jak who deal with the fears of everyday life in a charming way. The collection consist of short and diverse stories, but the common thread running through all of them is the experiential world of the modern children, coming together with the hedgehogs Mik and Jak. They find themselves in the middle of a series of witty adventures: when a pear falls down, they think the end of the world is near (Konec sveta), they make a childlike mistake and look for chestnuts under a beech tree (Kostanj), they experience fear (Čarovnica), become so excited about a story that the dragon almost becomes real (Zmaj iz pravljice), experience fear of the doctor (Smučarsko popoldne), have an unusual encounter with a mouse (Na podstrešju), with a wild man from their imagination (Divji mož), and with a scarecrow (Izidorjeva njiva), they turn into fairytale heroes (Na izletu) and learn what the consequences of not being careful are (Rojstni dan). Another character besides the main two is Izidor the rabbit, their “older peer”. He rationally counterparts the childlike thinking of the hedgehogs by showing them how irrational their fear is. The book is illustrated by the renowned illustrator Mojca Cerjak who gives it special charm and attraction, for the illustrator has drawn the lives of the hedgehogs adorably. The author herself says the following about Naježene prigode: “Before you is a new picture book Naježene prigode. It is meant for all of you young readers and listeners who rather sit in a safe lap and listen to a story than watch TV. Who are Mik and Jak? They are two scared hedgehogs who live in a little house and do not understand many things around them. Just like children, they are afraid of unusual noises, unknown woods, weird images, the doctor, dragons, wild men and the dangers lurking on every step. But do not fear. The stories are not here to frighten you. They merely want to let you know that fear is unnecessary. When you see a wild man in the distance, open your eyes. Maybe it is just a thick bush swinging in the wind. And when you tremble at the sight of a witch? The witch is only the light in the fat pumpkin. Now take the book in your hands. Those of you who already know capital letters, will be able to read it by yourselves. Others, too young to read, curl up in daddy’s, mommy’s, grandma’s or grandpa’s lap. And listen carefully to the little hedgehogs Mik and Jak. They will tell you a story.”