Radio Popov by Anja Portin continues to establish itself as a wonderful international success. The Slovenian edition of the book by Sodobnost, in Slovenian translation by Julija Potrč Šavli, has been welcomed warmly and put in the spotlight last autumn.
In a tour in Slovenia author Anja Portin discussed the book and its themes with young readers and teachers, toured different literary events, and attended the Ljubljana Book Fair.
Radio Popov is one of the most successful children’s books of the last years: it won the Finlandia Junior upon its release, and has already travelled to 25 language territories. Radio Popov follows Alfred, a nine-year-old boy who lives virtually alone. His mother is not in the picture and his father is constantly busy with work and business trips. During one of these business trips Alfred is left alone for so long he runs out of food, and electricity is cut off. When everything seems lost, Alfred is saved by a mysterious stranger who delivers food and woollen socks in lonely children’s letterboxes. It is the beginning of a wonderful adventure that will lead Alfred to a new family, and to saving more forgotten children. Alfred’s story is moving, and touches on social issues, but also contains joy, friendship, and a happy ending. The story, where children are left to their own devices with their problems in the face of absent or unhelpful adults is reminiscent of literary classics like the works of Astrid Lindgren and Roald Dahl.
Anja Portin is also the author of The Book of Misty Trees, where fantasy, and environmentalism are mixed in a wonderful adventure.