The Kiosk

From time to time most of us start to feel stuck in one way or another and so it is for Olga, the protagonist in this story that originated as a short animation in Latvia. Olga has lived and worked in her kiosk for a very long time. Her stall is a popular one with all kinds of customers wanting her wares – newspapers, magazines, sweets, bottles of water – and many have become her friends, stopping just for a chat. After work Olga reads of far-off places and dreams of distant seas and beautiful sunsets.

One morning Olga’s entire world is tuned upside down – literally – but does the plucky Olga despair? No, she doesn’t: instead, she attempts to put things back as they were and in so doing, discovers that she’s able to move around with the kiosk in situ.

Thus begins a completely new life. First Olga decides to take a walk and during her perambulations she encounters a man with a crazy dog that’s just a tad too enthusiastic at meeting her. The creature’s delight precipitates a fall and Olga, kiosk and all go tumbling over the railings and into the river.

Several days later, with her mobile home she arrives at the coast and there she establishes herself once more, reaping the benefits of life at the seaside; indeed, it’s from the beach that she spends every evening watching ‘the sun set … splendidly.’

Whether it’s considered as a tale of stepping out of your comfort zone and going with the flow, destiny, luck, or karma, Anete Melece shows a woman who makes the best of life. Her watercolour illustrations, presented from a variety of perspectives work cleverly in tandem with the text, allowing the reader to do some of the interpretation.

(There’s a QR code inside the book that allows readers to watch the animation).