Children?s Books
Osiris Publishing House produces classic works in the field of children?s literature in addition to its other series of fiction: tales written by Hungarian authors János Berze Nagy, Zsigmond Sebők, Zsigmond Móricz, István Kormos, as well as works by foreign authors such as Pushkin and the brothers Grimm or Don Quijote by Cervantes, which was adapted by poet Miklós Radnóti for young readers. In addition to these vintage works, Osiris publishes books by Ervin Lázár, a ?classic? of contemporary children?s literature in Hungary. It is a priority for the publisher to provide highly esteemed works of prime editorial quality for children. These books, which generally address the 5?14 age group, are illuminated by drawings and paintings from notable illustrators.
Zsigmond Sebők: Dörmögő Dömötör (Dömötör Dörmögő, the Bear)
Illustrated by Lívia Elek
Osiris Publishing House, Budapest, 2002
240 p., with 25 illustrations
Zsigmond Sebők (1861?1916) is a prominent figure in Hungarian children?s literature ? the father of many popular bear characters. His tales drew on the tradition of fables by Aesop, Phaedrus, and La Fontaine. While Sebők?s lovable animals represent the same eternal human properties as those of his great ancestors, they live in the typical world of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This world, however, also projects a warm and hilarious image of our present life.
Zsigmond Móricz: Az ezüstkirály sípja (The Silver King?s Pipe)
compiled by Ervin Lázár
Illustrated by Alexandra Faltisz
Osiris Publishing House, Budapest, 2004
160 p., with 20 illustrations
Zsigmond Móricz (1879?1942) was an outstanding novelist of the early twentieth century. His tales unite the elements of ancient Hungarian fables and modern short stories. He shows special psychological sense when he gives an insightful representation of children?s world and is not afraid to depict the dark side of their lives ? poverty and tragedies. Yet his humour and faith in goodness always lighten this gloom.
István Kormos: Mese Vackorról, a pisze kölyökmackóról (Tale About Vackor the Little Bear)
Illustrated by Dóra Keresztes
Osiris Publishing House, Budapest, 2004
95 p., fully illustrated
These works in the forms of both verse and prose can be of interest mainly for children of age 7 or 8. The hero of these tales, Vackor, an endearing, sloppy bear cub rambles through the same adventures as today?s children who go to nursery or primary school.
István Kormos: Pincérfrakk utcai cicák (Cats from the Frakk-Street),
Az égigérő fa (The Sky-High Tree, folktales)
Illustrated by Alexandra Faltisz
Osiris Publishing House, Budapest, 2002
125 p.
Here the author describes modern city life through his feline characters. He also adapted folk tales, where his excellent humour, the joy reflected in his imaginary world, and superb language earned popularity among both young readers and their parents.
Ervin Lázár: A hétfejű tündér (The Seven-Headed Fairy),
A négyszögletű kerek erdő (The Square-Round Forest)
Illustrated by László Réber
Osiris Publishing House, Budapest, 2002
95 p.,
The fabulous short stories and novels written by Ervin Lázár revived Hungarian children?s literature of the last decades. The playful titles of his books about seven-headed fairies and square-round forests also imply that he broadens the world of traditional tales via the surreal and absurd imagination of children. Nevertheless, he always depicts real-life situations with abundant humour and love. His funny-named characters have become beloved friends of today?s children.
The unique imagery of books by Ervin Lázár was created by one of the most original Hungarian graphic artists, László Réber (1920?2001), while recent volumes (A manógyár, Tüskés varabin, Magyar mondák) were illustrated by Alexandra Faltisz, András Szunyoghy (1947), and Líviusz Gyulai (1937).
