SANJE

Starting out as a hugely successful radio play in 1952 (still one of the most popular children’s audiobooks), continuing as a puppet show (translated into several languages and staged throughout then Yugoslavia, in Russia, Poland, Germany, the Czech republic, Switzerland, Italy, even Chile and Canada), the legendary Little Sleepy Star finally appeared in book form in 1993 with illustrations by Gorazd Vahen.

When night falls, the stars go to work, showing the way to travellers, inspiring poets… Except for the Little Sleepy Star who is always late. But the absence of a star in the sky causes strange things to happen on Earth… In order to punish her and teach her responsibility, Uncle Moon sends her to Earth.

Before she can return to the sky, she will have to experience the difficulties of life down here, learn that nothing is to be had without money and teach a terrible brigand with a stone instead of a heart to spell the word “dear” so he can write to his mother.

As all good fairy tales do, Little Sleepy Star gives direct but unintrusive lessons on values such as responsibility, love and acceptance. The poetry and warm humour suffusing the text have bewitched generations of Slovenian children for over half a century.

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The artwork of the fairy tale published by Sanje comprises 22 double-page and several smaller illustrations, all by Gorazd Vahn.

The book has been published in several translations.

Little Sleepy Star (in Slovenian: Zvezdica Zaspanka) is the first Slovenian radio play for children. It was written by Frane Milčinski - Ježek and won the Levstik Prize in 1952. Zvezdica Zaspanka is one of the most popular children's characters and fairy tales in Slovenia.

Little Sleepy Star has fallen asleep again and did not make it to the sky in time. That's why strange things start happening on Earth. Godfather Moon gets upset and sends her to Earth as punishment. But there is the terrible bandit Ceferin, who has a stone for a heart ...