Children’s book by Victoria Amelina published in Latvia

“Eeeeeeeeevil Eka’s Excavator Stories,” a children’s book  by Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, has been translated and published in Latvia. “Ekskavatora Ekas e-e-ēstāsti” was published by the renowned Latvian publishing house Liels un mazs in a translation by Māra Poļakova.

The Ukrainian book was originally published in 2021 by the Old Lion Publishing House with illustrations by Oleksandr Shatokhin.

“This book is a humorous yet heartfelt story about a small excavator who wishes to be helpful and gets into grand adventures. In each of his ‘e-e-e-stories,’ Eka unintentionally disturbs the cosmic balance, and it’s up to smart children to set things right. Through these tales, the author engages young readers with themes of environmental responsibility, kindness, empathy, and the strength of imagination,” the description of the book reads.

The Latvian edition features a new artistic design from renowned animation director and illustrator Edmunds Jansons. He created “warm and kind illustrations that combine humor and poetry.”

The Latvian edition was published with the support of the Translate Ukraine program (Ukrainian Book Institute) and the Latvian State Culture Fund.

The book was presented at the Children’s and Youth Literature Festival in Sigulda on Sept. 28, 2025. The event was attended by translator Māra Poļakova, artist Edmunds Jansons, editor Inese Zandere, and Ukrainian writer Kateryna Mikhalitsyna, who presented the publication to Latvian readers.

Amelina was a Ukrainian writer, author of the novels “The November Syndrome, or Homo Compatiens” and “Dom’s Dream Kingdom,” as well as children’s books. Amelina was a volunteer and public figure. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Amelina had been volunteering in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. Amelina died on July 1, 2023, as a result of injuries sustained during a Russian missile attack on Kramatorsk.

RELATED: ‘Her new sisters will grow from the earth, and again will sing joyfully of life’: How Victoria Amelina’s endeavors live on

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn