Read the book: «Sunbeams and the Mysterious Robbery»

Font::

Illustrator Александр Гусев

Translator Юлия Комарова

ISBN 978-5-0068-7612-5

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

About the book

This delightful detective story for children stands out with its genuine love and understanding of a child’s world. It blends an exciting plot with the warm, sunny atmosphere of childhood friendship. What begins as a simple game quickly turns into a real investigation, where the main characters – sharp and observant kids – use their logic and keen senses to solve the mystery.

The original concept of the «sunny bunnies» brings a unique charm to the story. The author creates a familiar and recognizable world – backyards, friends, and neighbors – that young readers can easily relate to.

A special feature of the book is that the author involved his seven-year-old granddaughter in its creation, lending the narrative an authentic voice filled with true children’s thoughts and reactions. The lively language sparkles with humor and laughter.

The story encourages children to value friendship, notice small details, and believe in themselves. Bright, dynamic illustrations complement the text beautifully, highlighting the overall feeling of warmth and kindness.

The audio version is perfect for family listening, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere for a relaxing evening.

This is a story that celebrates true friendship and reminds us all of the simple joys of childhood.

Sunny Bunnies and the Mysterious Robbery
A story-tale

Part 1. Family Traditions

Following a cherished family tradition, the Lisin spouses – Klava and Peter – nestled in a cozy apartment on the top floor of an old brick house with a lush green roof and a sunny yellow facade, embarked on a joyful journey to their dacha during the New Year holidays, accompanied by their little ones, a sweet girl named Elza and her older brother Mark.

Their plot had blossomed into a true winter wonderland: festive lights, like a shimmering spiderweb, enveloped the trees and outbuildings, weaving a magical atmosphere. As evening fell, the world outside was bathed in a soft, magical glow, inviting the children to spend hours crafting a whimsical snow slide with a hidden cave inside, where their imaginations could run wild. By the porch of the house, as if it had stumbled out of the forest, stood a frozen Christmas tree. It had accidentally peeked into the window and flashed with the red lights of its garland in embarrassment. It’s a mystery what it caught a glimpse of inside the house, but even in Holland, where curtains are a rare sight, peeking is seen as a naughty trick.

On New Year’s Eve, the sky was a dazzling canvas of festive fireworks and a whirlwind of heavy snowfall. In the morning, as soon as dawn broke, the Lisin family decided not to waste any time and went out to build a snowman. First, under Peter’s watchful eye, the children playfully stomped down a spot to create a magical snow sculpture. Meanwhile, Klava, with the flair of a true designer, carefully handpicked the perfect accessories to complete the look.

Mark and Elza rolled the first snowball themselves, and by the time they finished, they were utterly exhausted. «The head is ready!» Mark eagerly shared the news with his dad. They crafted the middle ball together with their mom, and now the work was a whirlwind of speed and joy! And the grandest one was rolled with joy by the whole family, coming together in a burst of laughter and shared excitement. Dad crafted a majestic pyramid of three snowballs with his own hands, then stepped back and, like a true sculptor, carefully scrutinized the proportions.

«Now we can make it beautiful!» the head of the family declared with a confident nod.

Mom immediately began decorating the snowman: a blue garden bucket was placed on its head, and a juicy red carrot was stuck in as its nose! Elza proudly attached it herself, beaming with joy at her triumphant creation. The snowman’s eyes sparkled like warm, golden embers, made from the aged brown buttons of Mark’s coat. Tree branches became reaching hands, as if embracing the world. The snowman’s lips blossomed into a charming smile, formed by a constellation of black charcoal pieces found near the fire. And, of course, a stylish accessory was a must-have. Klava, a fashion aficionado, wrapped a breathtaking scarf – an écharpe made from light gauze fabric, shimmering like sea waves – around the snowman’s neck.

«Oh, Klava, wow, what a marvelous creation!» exclaimed Peter, stepping back to admire the finished masterpiece.

The family, holding hands, began to circle the snowman in a joyful round dance, singing a cheerful song.

Every snowman knows his fate,
A snowman crafted by the tiny hands of children,
For just a fleeting moment, not to stand
For an eternity and a single day…¹

Part 2. New Friends

In the cozy living room of the dacha, perched on the shelf of a gleaming German sideboard named «Helga,» resided the Sunny Bunnies: the ever-vibrant Grandma Iskra and the ever-wise Grandpa Bucks. They lived in a dazzlingly polished Bohemian crystal salad bowl, which sparkled with hundreds of lights in the sun – an absolute delight!

The Sunny Bunnies, naturally curious, basked in the sunlight while eagerly watching the family’s winter fun unfold through the window. In Grandma Iskra’s whimsical view, a twinkling electric light bulb would have been the perfect fit for the snowman’s nose, adding a spark of magic to his chilly face. And the carrot, in her eyes, should have been grated and served to the children with a dollop of sour cream – perfect for brightening their eyes and boosting their vision! Bucks chuckled at her ideas and winked at the snowman through the window, as if inviting him for a cozy cup of tea by the samovar, a traditional Russian tea urn.

The snowman would have been over the moon to befriend the Sunny Bunnies, but a nagging feeling of unease clouded his joy. He knew all too well how much bunnies adore carrots and was terrified of losing his brand-new nose. Moreover, the snowman fretted over his fate: a piping hot samovar could swiftly melt him away, turning him into a puddle of melted magic. A warm and cozy gathering was on the brink of turning into a tearful farewell. But despite the looming danger, the snowman’s eyes sparkled with hope as he gazed at the Sunny Bunnies, his heart brimming with optimism. What if he truly managed to forge a friendship with them? How delightful it would be to revel in the soft, fluffy snow and the crisp, biting frost, all while making new friends!