Irena Stanic Rasin

About AntonTon

AntonTon is a unique guy who does everything his own way. He may be a bit unusual, but he proves that it’s okay to be different. People like AntonTon make the world an interesting place. Every bit of progress in science, culture, sports, etc., has happened because some AntonTon did something outside the box.

Enjoy the iconic Croatian poem by Grigor Vitez, the father of modern Croatian children's literature, in this first English translation combined with award-winning illustrations.

Illustrated by: Tomislav Torjanac

English translation in verse: Irena Stanic Rasin

Preface

Poet, writer, and translator Grigor Vitez (February 15, 1911 – November 23, 1966) was the first Croatian author whose children’s poetry was not only as well written as the most accomplished world works, but who also made Croatian poetry for children as popular as that written for adult

readers.

Even though there had been laudable children’s poets before Vitez, nobody had made such a qualitative leap with their entire opus like Vitez did. Generally speaking, Croatian children’s poetry was mostly didactic, used themes of little interest, and was replete with ideology. Today, generations of children enjoy Vitez’s Antuntun (AntonTon in the English translation), the poet’s walking and talking trees, and birds that fly out from the Slavonian fields of Vitez’s childhood, just as much as children growing up in the 1950’s marveled at Vitez’s first collection of poems Prepelica (The Quail). Croatian children’s poetry was in dire need of free play and laughter, and Vitez provided this with his understanding of both sides of the best Croatian traditions, both oral and written. He felt and was carried by the rhythm and themes of traditional epic poetry, free of didactic aims. Vitez enjoyed language games and meanings, forming his own words and according them with the sound and meaning of the whole poem, never just for their own sake. Vitez did not hesitate to use nonsensical verse if it suited his poetics, as well as melodic onomatopoeias, sonorous and harmonious rhymes, and rich imagery. Vitez used a range of themes and motifs, from the plant and animal world, across the numerous hues of human emotions, to abstract mood sketches, all of which portray the richness of the world we are part of.

Vitez developed and transformed the best of the Croatian literary tradition to such a degree that he has rightly been dubbed the father of modern Croatian children’s poetry. A teacher by profession, Vitez also worked as a translator, literary critic, editor, and held functions at the Ministry of Education and Croatian Writers’ Association. His repertoire includes more than 500 works for children, many of which have been translated into twenty languages.

Diana Zalar, Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb

(Adapted from the Preface to Vitez, Grigor. Nevidljive ptice (Invisible Birds). Zagreb: Mozaik knjiga, 2002.)

Reviews

A delightful translation of AntonTon (Antuntun in the original Croatian), a story about a "unique guy who does everything his own way"

Although most families in the U.S. won't know the name of Grigor Vitez, he is considered the "father" of modern Croatian children's literature. Born in 1911, he wrote fiction and poetry for children as well as adults. He is much beloved in his home country. In fact, in his honor, the Grigor Vitez award, established a year after the author's death in 1966, is given to an outstanding children's book each year in Croatia.

Now children can get to know him with a delightful translation of Vitez's AntonTon (Antuntun in the original Croatian), a story about a "unique guy who does everything his own way." AntonTon (who looks like a cross between Woody Guthrie and Daniel Levy) plants eggs in soil, uses a pig to chase mice, and sprinkles sheep with snow. Told in rhyme, this story is goofy enough to entertain children and lyrical enough to please adults. AntonTon is supremely confident and ingenious, and his odd ways are reminiscent of characters found in tall tales and folklore. The whimsical yet vigorous illustrations are by Tomislav Torjanac, the Croatian artist who may be best known as the winner of a contest to illustrate Yann Martel's Life of Pi. Rich in detail, the oil paintings help bring AntonTon to life.

Originally published in Croatia in 2009, this English translation is a welcome addition to any home or library.

Cyrisse Jaffee, The Arts Fuse

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AntonTon is a tender and humorous poem that should be read by every child. It can start many conversations that need to begin in homes, whether there is a child unsure how to express themselves or a child seeing their future path out of the ordinary. AntonTon’s message is of pure, bright joy! We are all different, but we are all amazing! I was smiling as AntonTon used the wheat fields as an ocean, and did other things that take a great deal of imagination and innovation. The illustrations are genuine and original, and the English translation seamless. I loved this book! Five stars!

Annie McDonnell, The Write Review

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What a beautiful book!

The rhymes work beautifully. I'm truly impressed.

Ellen Elias-Bursac

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AntonTon by Grigor Vitez is a slim, sixteen-page book that contains great entertainment and a powerful message that will resonate to both old and young readers, a children's book that older folk need to read. The story is about AntonTon, an eccentric guy who stands out in everything he does. He plants eggs for hatching in the garden soil to grow, uses fine thread to make eggs stand by strand, listens to the dish to determine if food needs salt, gives singing lessons to the fish, keeps the pig indoor, and takes his bike to graze — and there are many unusual things like these about AntonTon of the Umpteenth Village.

This book presents a character with a wild imagination and one who actually follows that imagination. Each page is brightly and intelligently illustrated and the illustrations are so skillfully accomplished that they allow the personality of the protagonist and his world to come alive in the book. Each aspect of AntonTon’s life is condensed in a couple of lines or sentences— in turn hilarious and thought-provoking. The story is boldly written and the idea behind it is one that can ignite creative and innovative conversations amongst children. This is a book that will inspire change and innovation in readers, encouraging them to dare to do things differently, to test and break conventional rules that keep them stuck with what they think they know. As an adult, it was fun reading this book and then having my five-year-old daughter read it to me. She was first captivated by the colorful artwork and said: “Dad, this AntonTon is crazy. He brings his pig inside the house.” But then as I asked questions, she eventually came to the realization that she has grown up doing just what she sees everyone doing and not what she wants to do. Such a tale and the lesson it brings about being unique and different! The translation by Irena Stanic Rasin is brilliant and the illustrations by Tomislav Torjanac bring life to the story and mesmerize readers. It is a beautifully accomplished book for readers who love entertaining and thought-provoking tales for children.

Romuald Dzemo, The Book Commentary