Simona Polše Zupan, 30, graduated as a Librarian from the University of Ljubljana in 2001.

After working for a couple of years in librarianship, she decided to follow her creative and managerial passions and established her own independent publishing house. Damodar Publishing, where she works as an editor and manager, specialises in quality children’s literature through which children can imbibe positive values and build tolerance.

Damodar is preparing an upcoming series of picture books for children with special needs, as well as a series of books about children with special needs, portraying to the general public the world from their unique point of view.

Book Pitch

Fant z rdečo kapico (The Boy With a Little Red Hood)
by Andreja Peklar and illustrated by Andreja Peklar (Institute for Visual Arts (Inštitut za likovno umetnost))
Awards: Best original Slovenian illustrated children's book, 2006; Selected title of the White Ravens, 2006

Inspired by images on a golden vase from the Hallstatt culture (ca. 1,200-500 B.C), the author tells an ecological tale about a stag with golden antlers who destroys the fields and gardens in a wealthy kingdom to take revenge for the human exploitation of nature. The protagonist, a boy with a little red hat, manages to mediate between the human beings and the animals by convincing the people that they should live in peace with their animal neighbours. A literary fairy tale, presented as a concertina book with a series of pictures and illustrations in shades of red, yellow, and gold. This is excellent example of how we can attractively present priceless cultural heritage to children from the age of four.

The three other books Simona is presenting from Slovenia are:

Vrabčevka in ocean (The Sparrow and the Ocean) by Tjaša Damodar and illustrated by Simon Bogatin (Damodar Publishing)
Based on an Indian folk-tale, this charmingly illustrated picture book presents a story of determination and perseverance. It helps the child to imbibe proper attitudes at times of difficulty, like those circumstances faced by the little sparrow at the heart of this story.

Zvezdica Zaspanka (Twinkle Sleepyhead) by Frane Milčinski–Ježek and illustrated by Gorazd Vahen (Sanje Publishing House)
Awards: Nomination for the Best original Slovenian illustrated children's book, 2005 and winner of the Rastem s knjigo (Growing up with a book) competition, 2004
One evening, when Uncle Moon counts the stars, one of them is missing. Twinkle has overslept, and that's why everything on Earth goes wrong. Uncle Moon goes in for educational punishment, so he sends Twinkle Sleepyhead to Earth… The poetry and warm humour of this lovely story have bewitched generations of Slovenian children for over half a century.

Kako sta Bibi in Gusti preganjala žalost (How Bibby and Gousti Chased Away Sadness) by Ida Mlakar and illustrated by Kristina Krhin (Didakta)
Awards: Nominated for the Best original Slovenian illustrated children's book (2005)
Piglet Bibby is attacked by a problem that affects each and every one of us – sadness. Luckily she has her friend Gousti at her side who helps her find the best cure for the 'coldness in her heart'. Accompanied by two lovely recipes for driving away sadness.