BOOK REVIEW: "Eyewitness" books for children ... in Ukrainian

WILLOW GROVE, Pa. - If one were to walk into any bookstore in the U.S., one would be particularly impressed with the "Eyewitness" series of children's books published by the venerable London publishing house Dorling-Kindersley. These individual volumes are mini-encyclopedias that cover over 60 different topics. The books fascinate young and old alike, and provide hours of educational stimulation. Hard covered, richly illustrated, printed on enamel stock, copiously annotated with detailed, authoritative and informative texts, these books invigorate all of the senses.

How nice it would be to find books like these in ... Ukrainian. A pipe dream, you say? Well, no longer! A Lviv publishing house, Art Media, under license from Dorling-Kindersley, has published the first Ukrainian translations of some of the most popular "Eyewitness" titles: ëÒ¦,¥" (Mammals), ëÓ·¦ÍË" (Dogs), Ä,ÚÓÏÓ·¥Î¥" (Automobiles), and èÓÓË" (Rocks and Minerals). Published under the logo ÑË,ÎÒ¸, ÑË,ÛÒ¸, Ñ¥Á̦Ҹ" (I observe, wonder and learn), these publications have changed the face of Ukrainian children's books forever.

The books are identical in quality to the English versions in every respect. The wonderful part is that they are all completely in Ukrainian.

To the purist, these books are mere translations and some will argue that they are not a real contribution to Ukrainian literature. However, when one considers the complete lack of any current writing in Ukrainian for children, and the constant re-publication of old-time fairy tales, the Art Media series presents a truly refreshing alternative. More to the point, these books are now the standard by which others will be measured.

To those readers who have strived to maintain their Ukrainian language skills, these books are a tremendous opportunity to fill those devilishly unnerving vocabulary gaps - mammals (ÒÒ¦,¥), anteater (ÏÛ¦ÍÓª), mole hill (ÍÓÚÓ,ËÌ). An automobile gearbox is a ÍÓӷͦ Ô¦"" and an "in-line 6" engine is a ¥ÒÚ¸ Ûþ." These are but a few examples of some very interesting and satisfying linguistic adventures.

One need not be a language scholar to appreciate these books. The stunning photographs and illustrations of each 64-page edition are a delight in and of themselves as they help guide the reader through detailed presentations of interesting topics. Even the youngest of children will enjoy the graphics. Older children and young adults will be drawn to them as well because they look and feel just like the books they encounter every day and are treasure troves of valuable information about the real world. Parents and grandparents will appreciate the fine Ukrainian language. Those less comfortable with the vocabulary may find it appropriate to buy the English-language versions as handy translation companions. Readers with greater Ukrainian skills will find that the numerous illustrations allow them to intuitively understand words they may be encountering for the first time.

The publisher, Art Media, has taken great care to present Ukrainian translations that are extremely accurate and do not run afoul of Russian-rooted words that have crept into modern Ukrainian. The publisher engaged the services of the most senior linguists and academicians with expertise in each particular topic and mandated them to prepare books in as pure a Ukrainian language as is possible. By all accounts, they have succeeded.

Regardless of which reason ultimately convinces you to buy these books, one thought stands out above all: there is a simple, inner pleasure in realizing that Ukrainian-language publishing has come of age, that Ukrainian, as a language, will not be relegated to the dusty old tomes, and that Ukrainian has never been more fun to read, learn and understand. All of these qualities have caused some parents who have seen these books in the U.S. to say that they should become standard texts for upper grades of Ukrainian Saturday schools.

All four beautiful books are available to readers in the U.S. by mail order only. Exclusive U.S. distribution is being handled by Ukiebooks, a Philadelphia area venture that specializes in bringing the finest in contemporary Ukrainian language children's books to the U.S. These books will not be sold in stores or through catalogue outlets. "The direct mail order marketing medium was chosen as the primary retail vehicle because it gives the customer maximum value. We want the reading public to enjoy these truly wonderful books at prices that are the same as those at Barnes and Noble," notes a release from Ukiebooks, "and the only way to accomplish this goal is to control both the import and the retail process ourselves."

Each mail order book sells for $17, the same discounted price readers pay for the English-language books at major retail outlets. A complete set of four Ukrainian language titles sells for an additionally discounted price of $65. Send your check or money order payable to: Ukiebooks. No credit cards accepted. Specify which titles you would like. Postage and handling is an additional $5.75 for one or two books and $8 for three or four books. All orders will be shipped by USPS Priority Mail. Allow eight weeks for processing and delivery. However, all orders received before November 20 will be delivered by December 15, in time for the Christmas holidays. Send all orders to: Ukiebooks, 2015 Richard Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 4, 1998, No. 40, Vol. LXVI

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