A sheet of paper and, under it, another sheet of paper, and, under it, another sheet of paper, and, under it, a table, and under it, a floor, and, under it, a room, and under it, a basement… and if we go on, we will soon find ourselves at the other side of the world.

“Every day drama” with a victim and a crime scene: poor Juan Abad is attacked by a treacherous cold. Norman Junge has made brilliant pictures about Christian Morgenstern’s short satiric poem, resulting in a wonderful work, as outlandish, funny and absurd as the one by the great German master of extravagant poetry.

“… an outlandish, absurd and funny picture book which warns you about the fact that you can get a cold at anytime… Junge has built impressive pictures over the poem (by Christian Morgenstern), which is as minimalist as tender and hare-brained. Architecture and space have a prevalent place in the pictures: a too huge scenario for such treacherous and small snot. The idea of making even buildings sneeze is also brilliant. A wonderful picture book, a funny look at cold that pre-readers can understand by “reading” the pictures, and that can be enjoyed by others together with the poem inspiring the pictures.” (CLIJ, Children and Young Adult’s Literarture Notebooks).

A puppet with a broken nose waits for his turn to see the doctor. There are other patients that go first: the penguin, the duck, the bear and the frog. All they are waiting with fear the medical check-up, which will bring health and happiness back to them.

A distinct picture book, full of sweetness, to give to anyone who has to go to the waiting room of a health centre.

Bologna Ragazzi Award 1998 (3- to 6-year-olds category)