An animal fairy tale or forest fantasy? The mysteriously named Žako and Stopotvorná borrows essential ingredients from both these genres.

Children’s and Young Adult

The vixen Stopotvorná leaves behind russet tracks, but which she expertly brushes away with her bushy tail, while the parrot Žako is eventually able to speak on behalf of all the human and animal characters in this thrilling tale. The chance encounter of a vixen and a parrot occurs in the home of the vet who rescued them – and who is rewarded with a new friendship with a kind waitress. Without giving away all the details of their adventures, we can disclose that they travel on a water lily to a place teeming with rich flora and fauna, where the Mighty Tree grows, whose seeds accentuate certain characteristics for better or for worse. The other animal protagonists include a pack of wolves, a capybara, and a prairie dog. One of the main roles, though, is played by the vixen’s lost sister, Matylda, who Stopotvorná has a competition with to see who has the better sense of smell. There are full-page illustrations, surprisingly drawn in brightly coloured markers with details in brilliant orange, which also appear in the distinctive front cover.

Age: 6+