Ina Ogenskienė, Kristina Norvilaitė. Žiurkė Ne Matilda (The Rat who is Not Matilda), Kaunas: Charity and Support Fund Švieskime vaikus, 2025. – 96 p.

The Rat who is Not Matilda is a literary fairy tale about knitted toys. The main character is a toy rat knitted by a girl who names her Matilda. However, the rat does not accept this name and tells the other toys that she is not Matilda – she is Longwhiskers. The problem of names arises for several other characters as well. Thus the book explores a philosophical question of identity: whether a given name truly corresponds to how the one who receives it feels about themselves. Not Matilda is an especially colourful character: somewhat arrogant, a little rough, and fond of giving orders, yet also clever, brave, and understanding. Under her leadership the toys manage to escape several dramatic situations. The book speaks about the importance of friendship and goodwill, as well as the desire to feel needed and loved. Readers will be drawn in by the adventurous storyline and lively language. Kristina Norvilaitė’s colourful illustrations add warmth and playfulness to the book.

Ina Ogenskienė is a prose writer who writes for both adults and children. She graduated from Kaunas Medical University and works as a doctor. She had not planned to become a writer, but began creating fairy tales for her children and eventually became one. In the National Children’s Literature Competition she received two awards in 2020 – the debut prize and second prize. In 2021 she again won second prize in the same competition, and in 2023 her book The Rat who is Not Matilda received the first prize.

Kristina Norvilaitė (b. 1977) is a graphic artist and book illustrator. She graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Her works have been exhibited in around 300 solo and group exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. She runs her own gallery in Vilnius, which serves not only as a space for her artistic work but also as a venue for cultural events. As a book artist, Kristina illustrates books for both adults and children.

Contact for rights:  info@svieskimevaikus.lt