Kako je nastala knjiga

Pobudo za nastanek knjige je dalo Društvo hemofilikov Slovenije, saj smo želeli motnje strjevanja krvi na prijazen in razumljiv način približati mlajši populaciji. Slikanico je napisala Aksinja Kermauner, Tajeva babica, ki jo je k pisanju spodbudilo rojstvo vnuka s hemofilijo, saj družina o tej redki dedni motnji strjevanja krvi takrat ni vedela skoraj ničesar. Zgodbo je ilustrirala Maja Lubi, knjigo pa je leta 2024 ob svetovnem dnevu hemofilije izdala založba Morfem v svoji zbirki slikanic o otrocih s posebnimi potrebami. Spremno besedo je napisala in knjigo strokovno pregledala pediatrična hematologinja dr. Barbara Faganel Kotnik.

Knjiga pripoveduje o Taju, radovednem in živahnem fantku, ki se tako kot vsi otroci kdaj udari ali pade. Pri njem je buška lahko nevarna, ker lahko pride do krvavitve v sklepe in mišice, zato potrebuje zdravilo, ki nadomesti manjkajoči faktor strjevanja. Ob zdravljenju, ljubeči družini in razumevajoči okolici pa živi čim bolj običajno otroštvo. Namen knjige je otrokom in odraslim preprosto razložiti hemofilijo, razbijati stereotipe in spodbujati sprejemanje drugačnosti. 

Kako poteka izbor

Od leta 1985 IBBY gradi posebno zbirko knjig za mlade s posebnimi potrebami, ki jo od leta 2013 hrani Javna knjižnica Toronto v Kanadi. Na vsaki dve leti nacionalne sekcije IBBY predlagajo do 12 naslovov, končni izbor pa pripravi vodja projekta skupaj z žirijo. Izbor ima dve kategoriji:
• Dostopni formati: braillova pisava, znakovni jezik, tipne slikanice, lahko branje ipd.
• Upodobitve oviranosti: knjige, ki prikazujejo otroke in mlade z oviranostmi.
 

Med merili je, da je lik z oviranostjo dobro razvit, ima pomembno vlogo v zgodbi in je njegovo življenje več kot le diagnoza. Upodobitev mora biti spoštljiva in brez škodljivih stereotipov. Vključena so lahko tudi kronična stanja, ki trajno vplivajo na življenje otroka. Tajeva buška ta merila dobro izpolnjuje. Taj je glavni junak in ne le »bolnik«: je živahen, radoveden fant, hemofilija pa je del njegovega življenja, ne celotna zgodba. Knjiga temelji na resnični izkušnji družine, strokovno jo je pregledala zdravnica, njen namen pa je prav razbijanje stereotipov.
Izbor 2027 bo predstavljen na mednarodnem sejmu otroških knjig v Bologni, skupaj z ilustriranim katalogom, ki ga IBBY razpošlje po svetu. Knjige bodo nato potovale s potujočimi razstavami, en izvod pa bo trajno ostal v zbirki v Torontu.  

Zahvala

Iz srca se zahvaljujemo avtorici Aksinji Kermauner, ilustratorki Maji Lubi, Heleni Kraljič, založbi Morfem in slovenski sekciji IBBY, ki je knjigo predlagala za izbor. 

Taj's Bump travels the world: our picture book selected by IBBY 

We are delighted to announce that the Slovenian picture book Tajeva buška (Taj's Bump) is one of 40 titles (out of 216 nominated from around the world) chosen for the IBBY Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2027.

How the book came about

The book was initiated by the Slovenian Haemophilia Society (Društvo hemofilikov Slovenije), which wanted to bring bleeding disorders closer to younger readers in a friendly, accessible way. It was written by Aksinja Kermauner, Taj's grandmother, who was inspired by the birth of her grandson with haemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder the family knew almost nothing about at the time. It was illustrated by Maja Lubi and published in 2024, around World Haemophilia Day, by Morfem Publishing as part of its picture-book series about children with special needs. Paediatric haematologist Dr Barbara Faganel Kotnik wrote the foreword and reviewed the book.

The story follows Taj, a curious and lively boy who bumps and falls like any other child. For him, though, a bump can be dangerous because it may cause bleeding into joints and muscles, so he needs treatment to replace the missing clotting factor. With treatment, a loving family and an understanding community, he lives as normal a childhood as possible. The book aims to explain haemophilia simply to children and adults, challenge stereotypes and encourage acceptance of difference.How the book came about 

How the selection works 

Since 1985, IBBY has built a dedicated collection of books for young people with disabilities, housed since 2013 at Toronto Public Library in Canada. Every two years, IBBY national sections nominate up to 12 titles each, and the project director makes the final selection with a jury. The selection has two categories:
• Accessible formats: braille, sign language, tactile books, easy-to-read texts, etc.
• Portrayals of disability: books that depict young people with disabilities. 

The criteria include a well-developed character with a disability who plays an active role in the story and whose life is more than their diagnosis. The portrayal must be respectful and free of harmful stereotypes. Chronic conditions with a lasting impact on a child’s life can be included. Taj's Bump fits these criteria well. Taj is the hero of his own story, not just a patient: a lively, curious boy for whom haemophilia is part of life, not the whole story. The book is based on a family's real experience, was reviewed by a medical specialist, and sets out to challenge stereotypes. 

The 2027 selection will be launched at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, together with an illustrated catalogue that IBBY distributes worldwide. The books will then tour internationally in travelling exhibitions, and a copy will remain permanently in the Toronto collection.  

Thanks to

Our heartfelt thanks go to author Aksinja Kermauner, illustrator Maja Lubi, Helena Kraljič, Morfem Publishing and IBBY Slovenia, which nominated the book.