The book was published in Poland in September 2011. It was written on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Janusz Korczak’s death and the celebration in 2012, the “Year of Janusz Korczak.”
Iwona Chmielewska began to write ” Blumka’s Diary ” in January, 2011, but the process of preparation for this book took her almost 8 years. During that time, the author read all available books about Korczak and all the books, articles and documents written by Korczak himself. Also she went to Treblinka, to stand closer to the story she wanted to describe and illustrate.
The book is set in the orphanage – the historical one, “House of Orphans” founded by Korczak. The main book’s character is the nine-year-old Blumka, a girl who through writings in her diary presents to the reader twelve children living with her at Doctor Korczak’s home. Thanks to her we learn about their daily life, habits at home – a day of good deeds, the day of the first snow. In her book, Iwona Chmielewska seamlessly combines facts and fiction and in a very subtle way truly creates Korczak’s world – full of love and respect for the child.
About the author
Iwona Chmielewska graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun. She is the illustrator and author of books for children and adults; so-called “picture books” – in which text and images are inseparable elements.
Her books are very popular in South Korea, Japan, China, Mexico, Taiwan, Portugal, Spain and Germany. She has published several books including “The Sleepwalker”, “Thought”, “Thinking the Korean alphabet” and “Thinking the English alphabet.”
She has received many prestigious awards for her books, including ProBolonia in 2000, Golden Apple at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava 2007 and illustrator Oscar Award – BolognaRagazzi.
The book ” Blumka’s Diary ” by Iwona Chmielewska won IBBY, the most important award in Poland given to the authors of publications for children and young people and the title “Book of the Year” (2011) in the category of graphic and literary.
Source: Japanese cover page – courtesy of Polish Institute in Tokyo and press information