Yoni stretched out under the tree he loved, and thought about the difference between ‘boring’ and ‘melting’, and what exactly is boredom. This subject of boredom occupied him, and it is possible to say that boredom was his concern. Although he knew the feeling, he did not manage to understand what it was exactly. When we are hungry, he thought, there is a feeling of emptiness in the stomach and sometimes the stomach even rumbles. When tired, yawning and the eyes are heavy. When you need to pee you feel a bit of a burning sensation and press your stomach down. But where do you feel boredom? How do you know you are bored?
Yoni is a curious and dreamy fox cub, who together with his fellow cubs – a brainy porcupine, a braggart snake and a risk-loving wild boar – goes on exciting adventures such as a wild corn party in the field, attempts to learn to swim without getting wet, a daring foray into the hills in broad daylight, and group driving in an abandoned car. The colorful world of the gang takes place between a cluster of grapefruits and between fields and manors in green spaces devoid of people (almost. The only hint of their existence comes at the end, and it is revealed in all its magic). The plot does not strive to reach a definite goal. There is no mystery to be solved and no problem to be solved. The very being in nature, together with the challenges and experiences it offers, are the heart of the matter and life itself.
Although the animals lead the story, the real hero is nature, and it is much more than a location. Avner Vishnitzer, which is his first book for children, creates a complete being that takes shape from the continuous reality of life in nature, one that activates all the senses and sharpens them. Nature has its own sounds, smells and textures, and in the tiny microcosm between the orchard and the hills there is a whole world that is bustling with life as exciting as that of humans.
In urban areas, childhood experiences such as digging for rocks and observing snails become an attraction rather than an integral part of life. Nature is the “other”, the one you go to and not a place you live in. In this respect, the story creates an inversion; The human environment is “the other”, distant and unknown. Nature is depicted not only as a living area but as an environment that embraces within it a multitude of possibilities for experience and adventure. The book revives the playful qualities of nature and offers a fun, entertaining and imaginative experience.
The story is full of thoughts of a child who wants to explore the world: what is dirt? What makes a place a home? Why is a secret considered something special? The questions are reminiscent in spirit of the young philosophy prevalent in classics such as “Winnie the Pooh”, and convey it in an accessible yet rich language.
The stories are accompanied by the illustrations of Sagi Ashin, who through an interesting and intelligent perspective gives the illustrated scenes an almost cinematic quality. Another magical element belongs to the porcupine gods, who at the beginning of the story are worried about his thorns falling off. Ashin scatters illustrations of thorns between the pages, thus evoking affection and empathy towards the character of the fearful porcupine, and also creates a playful element of search and allusion.
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