The book E-e-e-stories of Eka the Excavator by Ukrainian writer Viktoria Amelina has been published in Latvia. This was reported by Vydavnytstvo Staroho Leva on its website.
The book was published by the Latvian publishing house Liels un mazs under the title Ekskavatora Ekas e-e-ēstāsti. It was translated by Latvian translator Mara Polyakova, with illustrations by Latvian animator and artist Edmunds Jansons.
"This is a funny and at the same time very tender book about a little excavator who dreams of being useful and gets into big adventures. Eka tells his stories, in each of which he inadvertently disrupts the cosmic order. Children help save the world
In this way, the author talks to young readers about the most important things — responsibility for the planet, kindness, empathy, and the power of imagination. This is a book where children's laughter and imagination overcome fear and indifference," reads the book's description.
The publication received support from the Translate Ukraine programme (Ukrainian Book Institute) and the Latvian State Culture Fund.
The book was first presented to the Latvian audience at the Children's and Youth Literature Festival in Sigulda on 28 September 2025. In Ukraine, this book by Viktoria Amelina was published in 2021 by Vydavnytstvo Staroho Leva.
About Victoria Amelina:
- Ukrainian writer, author of the novels Syndrome of November, or Homo Compatiens, A Home for Dom, and several children’s books.
- After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she volunteered on de-occupied territories of Ukraine.
- Victoria Amelina was killed on 1 July 2023 as a result of a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk.
- In June 2025, she was posthumously awarded the Orwell Prize for her book Looking at Women, Looking at War.