Paulius Varnelė, Nadia Kovaliova. Vilkiukas (Little Wolf), Kaunas: Charity and Support Fund Švieskime vaikus, 2025. – 40 p.

The story begins with forest animals waiting for snow. When it finally arrives, they happily play together. Suddenly their fun is interrupted by the arrival of a wolf, whose mere presence frightens everyone. A little mouse tries to understand why, but the other animals keep saying: “Nothing good ever comes from a wolf.” Everyone hides, while the little wolf cannot understand why no one wants to be friends with him. Through this fairy tale the author reveals how prejudice and stereotypical thinking can negatively influence behaviour. Little wolf only wants to build a snowman with the others… Angry and hurt, he decides to take revenge on his forest neighbours, but an unexpected and playful twist occurs: the little wolf surprises everyone and eventually becomes friends with the animals and birds of the forest. Nadia Kovaliova’s lively illustrations vividly convey the changing emotions of the animals – from joy and fear to the warmth of friendship.

Paulius Varnelė (b. 1963) is a children’s writer and organiser of music events. He lives and works in Vilnius. He has written four books for children: Trumpa pasakėlė apie Karaliuką Burbuliuką (A Short Tale of the Little King Bubble, 2021, winner of the debut prize at the 7th National Children’s Literature Competition), Vėlyvi mažojo Karaliuko pusryčiai (The Little King’s Late Breakfast, 2024, winner of first prize at the 10th National Children’s Literature Competition), Supainiota Istorija (A Mixed-Up Story, 2024, winner of third prize at the same competition), and Little Wolf, which was a finalist in the 11th National Children’s Literature Competition.  

Nadia Kovaliova (b. 1986) is a children’s book author and illustrator. She has lived in Klaipėda since the age of four. In 2009 she completed a BA in Business Administration at LCC University. From 2010 to 2013 she lived in the United Kingdom, where she earned a master’s degree in Visual Communication at the University of Westminster and worked at the children’s publishing house Walker Books. She has published the picture books Meškis ir Žąsis (The Bear and the Goose, 2015; translated into French), Meškis ir Žąsis. Gera būti kartu (The Bear and the Goose. Good to Be Together, 2021), Meškis ir Žąsis. Pyrago diena (The Bear and the Goose. Cake Day, 2021), Meškis ir Žąsis. Staigmenų popietė (The Bear and the Goose. Afternoon of Surprises, 2022) and Vilkiukas (Little Wolf, 2025). She currently teaches visual communication and photography at LCC International University and organises illustration exhibitions.  

Contact for rights: info@svieskimevaikus.lt