The book follows the adventure of two children who find themselves in a shipwreck. Their struggle for survival, mutual support and coping in an unfamiliar environment form the core of this story.
Structured as a series of realistic, unusual and incredible adventures of the train driver Uncle Janoš, it is characterized by a successful composition, direct communication, persuasive storytelling and a sense of humor.
These stories show the problems of Croatian everyday life in the 19th century - the disintegration of traditional Slavonian village life, the disappearance of rural cooperatives, the sale of land to foreigners, the departure of peasants to the city.