Adam and His Tuba - Hardcover

by Ziga X. Gombac (Author), Maja Kastelic (Illustrator), Olivia Hellewell (Translator)

"Readers will be left screaming, 'Encore!'" -Kirkus Reviews

A playful book about finding your own path.

Everyone in the circus loves to perform - except for Adam, the youngest member of the Von Trapeze family.

Wherever Adam Von Trapeze's family circus performs they inspire audiences with their breathtaking feats. Grandma Antonia breathes fire, Uncle Artem builds dizzying human pyramids, and Papa Alexei and Mama Anastasia dance blindfolded on the tightrope.

Only Adam, the youngest of the family, doesn't show an interest in circus tricks and loud applause. The family is concerned. Where did they go wrong? But one day they are enchanted by the sound of a tuba. And from that day forward, the famous Von Trapeze family circus features a new performer--the one they never expected to be part of the family tradition. And he was a star.

Two of the most famous Slovenian children's book artists take us into the world of the circus in their first joint work. Ziga X Gombac tells the story of Adam in clear, subtle words. With a reduced palette of warm sepia colors, Maja Kastelic lights up the circus world on and off the stage. Together they plead for trust in one's own path and encourage us to take our place in the world.

Author Biography

Ziga X Gombac is from Slovenia, where he studied journalism and worked as a journalist, music editor, and editor-in-chief. He is currently the editor and presenter of the first podcast for youngsters on national radio in Slovenia. He has written numerous books for children and adults, which have won many awards. Storytelling and creating, both in books and at events, is an important part of his life.

Maja Kastelic was born in Slovenia, where she studied painting, philosophy, and visual art theory. For several years she worked as a fresco restorer before devoting herself to illustrating children's books. Prizes include the White Ravens Award, and her work has been displayed at the Illustrators' Exhibition in Bologna. Her last book for NorthSouth was Hans Christian Andersen -The Journey of His Life.

Olivia Hellewell is Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Translation Studies and a translator of contemporary Slovene literature. Olivia is the recipient of two English PEN Translates! Awards, and in 2019 she was awarded first prize in the Asymptote Journal Close Approximations Translation Contest.