This is the English version of an article first published in Polish: read the Polish original. It refers to source material: Biblioteki Publiczne m.st. Warszawy. The text is our own commentary, not a translation or copy of that source.
On Wednesday, September 16 at 16:00, the Radosna branch of Wilanów Library, at ul. Radosna 11, welcomes Zofia Stanecka, author of the Basia book series, one of the most popular characters in Polish children's literature in recent years. The meeting is part of the Literary September in Wilanów series, in which the library invites readers to three different author meetings this month, each aimed at a different group of readers. Entry is free.
Basia, a dozen books deep and with her own show
Stanecka, born in 1972, graduated in Polish philology from the University of Warsaw, where she wrote her master's thesis on C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. The Basia series, illustrated by Marianna Oklejak, has been published by Wydawnictwo Egmont Polska since 2008. More than a dozen titles have appeared so far, including Basia i przyjaciele. Anielka, Basia, Franek i zasypianie and Basia i wolność. In 2009 the series was named Best for Children in a readers' poll run by the monthly magazine Dziecko, and two of Stanecka's books, Świat według dziadka and Domino i Muki. Po drugiej stronie czasu, were added to the Treasures List of the Museum of Children's Books in Warsaw. In 2018 five episodes of an animated Basia series, made with the author's involvement, reached Polish cinemas.
During the meeting in Wilanów, children will be able to take a closer look at Basia's world and her family, talk about the character, her adventures and her books, and find out how the author works on new stories. There will also be a chance to ask about the animated series and Stanecka's newest literary ideas. The meeting comes with shared games inspired by Basia's adventures, not just conversation around a table.
The Radosna branch is one of four Wilanów Library locations, smaller and closer to residents of the eastern part of the district than the Main Library on ul. Kolegiacka 3, where evening meetings with authors of adult fiction usually take place, such as the recent visits by Jakub Małecki or Daniel Petryczkiewicz. This time the audience is young readers together with parents or grandparents, and the afternoon rather than evening time slot is chosen with exactly them in mind.
