The metaphor to teach children to be themselves

The review of "Bison looks for a nest" in the Italian newspaper LA SICILIA

Bison looks for a nest in Italy

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Being yourself is truly difficult. Who better than a child can know this? "Bison Looks for a Nest" (Jaca Book 2020), the picture book by Oksana Bula, tells young readers about the discovery of uniqueness, which, from a drama experienced through inevitable comparison with others, reveals itself as a precious resource. The protagonist is a gentle bison who, seeing the bears preparing for hibernation, wonders if he too should spend the winter in a cozy nest instead of wandering in the snow. Every year, in fact, "at the same time, the Tukoni, magical animals of the forest, put Bear to sleep in a den and wake him up in the spring." Why doesn’t he have a den? The question buzzes in his head, leaving him thoughtful: Bison wants to be like the other animals. So, he asks the Tukoni to be put to sleep, but they don’t understand his request: why does he want a pillow and blanket if he loves the cold more than anyone else in the forest? "Even if they tried to put him to bed, he wouldn't sleep for long."

Our friendly animal remains unconvinced and eventually lies down in an empty nest found on the ground. However, the hibernation lasts just as long as a nap: "Bison wakes up, no longer feeling like sleeping," and finally realizes that, unlike other animals, he loves living through the winter season. Now he knows this and is happy about it. So, he gives the nest to a dormouse, who truly needs it.

The story, painted with warm illustrations, is an adventurous journey of discovering one's place in the world. "Bison Seeks a Nest" teaches children that we all have a place, each one different from the others.

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Francesca Rita Privitera

For LA SICILIA edition

Release from 04.01.2021

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The picture book "Bison looks for a nest" by Oksana Bula was published in Italian by Jaca Book in 2020 under the title "Bisonte cerca un nido".

Translated by Laura Molinari, Vera Minazzi.