“Everything else is derived from the fact that I love to draw and that I do it all the time and in all circumstances. In my drawings I create new worlds which are all mine, the beautiful and the ugly, the boring and the fun ones.”
—— Svjetlan Junaković

Little Big World

The bear and the bee, the leopard and the ladybug, the ostrich and the marmot...When big animals pair with small animals, the imagination is sparkled. The little fish can play music together with the whale. The crab can barber the seal. The bat can show the way for the reindeer...Looking at these creatures, you will forget that big and small used to be antonymic.

Text & illustration: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 40

For ages: 2~4, 4~8.

My Way

The toddler got his first pair of shoes. He grew up and became an orchestra cellist, playing wonderful music. He first tasted the sweetness of love and experienced the tenderness between man and woman. Since then, he has stayed away from home. On the way, he met all kinds of passengers, letting him feel so wonderful and live a full life. Finally, he returned to his birth city. Everything seems unchanged, the streets and crowds, just like in the past. Of course, the pairs of shoes owned by everyone are still there.

Text & illustration: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 56

For ages: 4~8, 8~12 and above

CIAO!

One morning, Venice was bathed in a morning fog. The Duke went out the door of his palace. A gondolier greeted him:” Good morning Serenissimo!” In accordance with practice, the Duke only needed to give a nod, but the Duke replied to the gondolier unexpectedly: ”S-ciávo! ”, breaking a widespread rule throughout the Venetian dominion. The gondolier appreciated the greeting so much to repeat “S-ciávo! S-ciávo! ” to everyone he met. The gondolier discovered over time that this little word had a secret: It was magic. It brought back smiles on sad faces, dissolving fears and uncertainties. Soon it spread around the world.

Author: Laura Simeoni

Illustrator: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 48

For ages: 4~8, 8~12 and above

Fly, Fly, Fly

A picture book with both cognitive functions and artistic quality shows all kinds of flying things. Not only ladybugs, butterflies, bats, but also kites, airplanes, and hot air balloons are eager to fly. It conveys a desire for freedom and upwards. The book is simple and rhythmic, full of pleasure.

Author: Liu Ben

Illustrator: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 32

For ages: 0~3, 3~6

Wanja and the Wild Animals

Wanja, the little rabbit, went to play. He got lost in the beautiful scenery. On the way home, he encountered foxes, wolves, bears, and other wild animals. But Wanja kept calm. Finally, he escaped from the dangerous animals and got home.

The story lets kids face a crisis and learn to deal with it through plots full of tension. Unique painting style, childlike strokes and rich colors can recall children’s resonance in their hearts.

Author: Udo Weigelt

Illustrator: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 32
For ages: 4~8, 8~12

Where is Penguin Pips?

Penguin Pips has lost his way in the city. He wants to return to the Antarctic.
Following Penguin Pips, we will go through a lively city, watch a fierce football game, enter a remarkable shopping mall, run a fun marathon, have a refreshing walk on the beach, and finally board a ship and head for the iceberg. Penguin Pips is eventually at home! Yet, hold on and take a look. Where is he now?

Text & illustration: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 32
For ages: 2~4, 4~8

The Great Book of Animal Portraits

The book collects world-famous portraits from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century. However, the author skilfully replaces all of the protagonists with animals while precisely reproducing human motions, colors, and the atmosphere of clothes and photos. In a light and amusing tone, the author gives thorough remarks on each painting. Reading this one-of-a-kind collection of world-renowned paintings, readers will understand the narrative behind the famous paintings in a lighthearted manner and have an enjoyable journey to an art museum.

Mentioned for best fiction in the Bologna Ragazzi Award in 2008;

Selected for the Bologna Illustrations Exhibition, 50 Years of Master Exhibition.

Text & Illustration: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 48

For ages: 4~8, 8~12 and above

I Am Talking You About the Art of the 20th Century

This book tells interesting stories about some famous artworks from the 20th century. In this book, the author presents his collections: artworks by great artists, including Kazimir Malevič, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol... In the meantime, with his skilled and humorous story-telling language, the story-teller links these artworks with stories, presenting to young readers a vivid art enlightenment lesson and leading them to enjoy themselves in the palace of art of the 20th century.

This art enlightenment book introduces the art of the 20th century to children by combining story-telling with artwork that is original and unique and consistent with children’s nature.

Text & illustration: Svjetlan Junaković

Pages: 48
For ages: 8+

Italian rights sold.

Reviews and Awards

Review

“Svjetlan Junaković presents beautiful compositions that are expressive and emotional, while at the same time playful, imaginative, and evocative.”

Hans Christian Andersen Award jury members

Awards

IBBY Honor List, 1998

The Golden Plaque, Biennial of Illustrations, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2001. 

Third Prize, Oita Biennale, Japan, 2004.

Special Mention, Bologna Ragazzi Award, Italy, 2008.

Finalist, Hans Christian Andersen Award, Denmark, 2008.

Finalist, Hans Christian Andersen Award, Denmark, 2010.

Nominee, Hans Christian Andersen Award, Denmark, 2014.

Image of the Book Award, 2020

If you are interested in reviewing the above works, please feel free to contact Kris for more materials. Thank you.