Aušrinė Tilindė, Aliaga Mirguseinov. Paslaptis senelio barsuko sandėliuke (The Secret in Grandpa Badger’s Storeroom), Vilnius: Alma littera, 2025. – 40 p.

This book is one of the Christmas stories written for young readers. In the forest dressed in winter’s finery, the animals are eagerly awaiting the holidays, while Grandpa Badger is preparing for a deep and peaceful winter sleep. But as soon as he closes his eyes, strange things begin to happen. Something is banging in the storeroom… Someone has destroyed Little Squirrel’s house. Someone has eaten all of Little Mouse’s winter supplies… What is going on?! Is it a ghost? A monster? Or perhaps something that will help the inhabitants of Badger Hollow experience a true Christmas miracle? Playful and humourous, cosy and uplifting, this fairy tale by the award-winning writer Aušrinė Tilindė reminds young readers how important it is to help one another, to be friendly and forgiving, and that the real Christmas miracle is something we create ourselves. The book enriches children’s vocabulary, encourages a sense of community, and teaches them to help those who find themselves in trouble. It is also well suited for reading aloud.

Aušrinė Tilindė (b. 1987) is a lawyer and now a distinguished author who writes for both children and adults. She lives and creates in Vilnius. Her manuscript Šiurpnakčio istorijos (Fright Night Stories) won the 2023 Alma littera Children’s and Young Adult Literature Competition, and the book attracted considerable reader interest as soon as it came out. It was selected as the best book in the YA category of the Book of the Year awards in 2024. In the same year, the author published another YA book: Dvylika kruvinų plunksnų: skinvokerių legenda atgyja (Twelve Bloody Feathers: The Legend of the Skinwalkers Awakens). Her books for children include Anita ir kiti pasauliai. Stebuklingas miškas (Anita and Other Worlds. A Magical Forest, 2022), Paslaptis senelio Barsuko sandėliuke (The Secret in Grandpa Badger’s Storeroom, 2025), and Blow Me Down, Grandpa, 2025.

Aliaga Mirguseinov (b. 1990) is a book illustrator and graphic designer. He was born and brought up in Lithuania in a family of mixed ethnic origin. While studying graphic design at the Vilnius College of Technology and Design (now Vilnius College), and inspired by college lecturers, animated films, illustrated books, and a trip to Japan, he developed an interest in the art of children’s book illustration. Aliaga’s works are characterised by bright and dynamic colour compositions, positive emotions, and a love of nature. He illustrated the songbook from the Džimba studio much loved by young children, Aš širdyje labai myliu mamą ir tėtį. Džimbos dainelės vaikams (I Love Mum and Dad Very Much in My Heart. Džimba’s Songs for Children (2024).

Contact for rights: benas@booksmugglersagency.com or d.sinkeviciute@almalittera.lt