Nove priče i basne

The book New Stories and Fables, edited by Čedo Variola, was published in 1982 as part of the reputable Dobra knjiga (School Book) edition. This carefully designed reading collection is intended for lower elementary school students and brings a rich, thematically diverse selection of authorial stories, allegorical fables and folk tales by domestic and international writers. The visual identity and striking artistic impression of the publication are given by the recognizable illustrations of the prominent Croatian illustrator Danica Rusjan, whose drawings further bring the plot and characters closer to the youngest readers.

The content of the collection skillfully combines poetic children's fiction and classic educational prose forms. Domestic literature is represented by the anthological works of Sunčana Škrinjarić (The Dancing Dress of the Yellow Dandelion, The Fairy Tale of the Lotus) which bring lyricism and sensitivity, and the educational sketches of Milivoje Matošec (The Imaginary, The Fairy Tale of the Brave Mouse). The world's children's literature and the tradition of fables are enriched by the works of Giorgio Simonetti (Valentino with a Velvet Heart), Elizabeth Coatsworth (Brave John, The Most Beautiful Port), Franco Gisondi (The Quick-Woven Rabbit), Eduardo Šim (Whoever Chooses, Gets Bangs) and Džahadananda (The Unfaithful Friend). The collection is further guided by the Renaissance thought of Leonardo da Vinci (The Ant and the Millet Grain), the classic Russian fable of Ivan Andreevich Krylov (The Elephant and the Pug), and the Bulgarian folk tale The Sparrow and the Fox.

Through the motifs of selflessness, courage, modesty, insight and loyalty, the included texts reveal human virtues and flaws in an accessible way for younger children. The editorial concept of Čeda Variola and the artistic design of Danica Rusjan ensure linguistic and aesthetic harmony, which stimulates children's imagination, develops reading literacy and adopts fundamental moral values. Due to its high educational and aesthetic value, this edition remains a valuable part of children's school reading.