A little big story about sadness

Written by: Réka Király
Illustrated by: Réka Király
Release date: February 2025
ISBN: 978-952-7581-05-6
Number of pages: 32 pages
Size: 19.5 x 20.5 cm
Age recommendation: 3+

A sensitive and heartfelt story about grief and death. A book that can help us accept the inevitable or sometimes the unexpected.

"The trees have dressed themselves in
robes of gold. Their tops tickle the clouds. The birds sing their farewell songs, the shadows stretch lazily and grow ever longer.

Today is a perfectly ordinary autumn day. Or is it?"

Fox is old, it hears its shadow say “Soon it is time”. What could that mean? Fox’s friends start to think it behaves a little strange. One night Fox understands what its shadow meant. It will die soon. Fox organizes its home, marking the things it wants to leave to its friends.

"At dawn, Fox is ready.

– Soon it is time, the gentle voice of the shadow says.
– What will I become when I die? Fox asks.
– You will become a bright light, the shadow answers.
– And what about you? Fox asks cautiously.
– I will disappear., the shadow replies.

A lightning-fast pain pierces Fox's heart.
– I will always remember you, it promises."

The next day, the friends walk with Fox to its favorite spot. They sit and talk and finally cover Fox with colorful leaves. When night falls, the shadow disappears, and a new beautiful star begins to twinkle above them.

A Little Big Story is a picture book series created by award-winning author and illustrator Réka Király, which offers children and adults topics to think about together.