Vanja and the wonderful events in the House of Shadows

THE NOVEL FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WON "THE LITTLE PRINCE" AWARD FOR THE BEST CHILDREN‘S BOOK IN THE BALKAN REGION 2024 (CROATIA, SERBIA, MONTENEGRO AND BOSNIA IN HERZEGOVINA) IN OCTOBER 2025!! I would especially like to highlight the novel Vanja and the Wonderful Events in the House of Shadows, a powerful and emotionally resonant work of fiction spanning over 560 pages. The book was written by a professional pedagogue with extensive experience working in kindergartens and with children with developmental disabilities in Norway. His deep understanding of child psychology and trauma is woven throughout, making the story not only compelling, but deeply authentic. presence. As he struggles to cope with fear, isolation and emotional wounds, the boy creates a new world - one where he and his friends feel safe. However, in this imaginary world, fear does not disappear entirely - it moves towards those who cause pain. The novel explores themes of resilience, trauma, imagination as a coping mechanism, and the delicate line between fantasy and reality.