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GREG CRACKLING /
GRGA ČVARAK

Ratko Zvrko, Tomislav Torjanac (illustrator)
Mozaik knjiga (HR) 2011.


EN “Thanks to Torjanac, we finally found out what Antuntun really looks like, and now another mythical point of generations growing up in these parts of the world got its turn – Greg Crackling.”
Jutarnji list

“I was truly glad when, after many years, I recently saw [Grga Čvarak] in a lovely, new, merry picture book by Tomislav Torjanac. His little Grga is cute, just as any kid who chases chickens and nurses his ill mother should be. Not a superhero, just an ordinary neighbourhood rascal with a slingshot, an unusual character, an unusual lyrical protagonist.”
– Olja Savičević Ivančević
 
HR “Zahvaljujući Torjancu napokon smo saznali kako doista izgleda Antuntun, a sad je na red došlo još jedno mitsko mjesto generacija koje odrastaju na ovim prostorima – Grga Čvarak.”
Jutarnji list

“Iskreno sam se obradovala kad sam [Grgu Čvarka], nakon dosta godina, nedavno ugledala u lijepoj, novoj, veseloj slikovnici Tomislava Torjanca. Zgodan je Torjančev mali Grga, baš kakav treba bit jedan koji ganja kokoši i njeguje bolesnu mater. Nikakav superheroj, običan fakinčić iz susjedstva s praćkom, neobičan lik, neobičan lirski protagonist.”
– Olja Savičević Ivančević

This picture book, based on the 1967 classic children's poem by Ratko Zvrko, introduces Grga Čvarak (the name roughly translates to Greg Crackling), Croatia’s most famous rascal with a heart of gold. The mischievous, fiery-haired (and fiery-tempered) kid is also deeply caring and emotional, so his actions are often contradictory and confusing to people around him. Yet, Grga remains consistent in his inconsistencies.   Ova slikovnica, nastala prema klasičnoj pjesmici Ratka Zvrka iz 1967. godine, predstavlja Grgu Čvarka, najpoznatijeg mangupa zlatna srca u hrvatskoj književnosti za djecu. Ovaj nestašni klinac vatrene kose (i jednako vatrena temperamenta) ujedno je vrlo brižan i osjećajan, zbog čega su njegovi postupci često proturječni i zbunjujući za ljude oko njega. Ipak, Grga ostaje dosljedan u svojoj nedosljednosti.


Greg Crackling, front and back cover   Grga Čvarak, naslovnica i zaslovnica

I chose to picture the main character as a thin, tall 12-year old kid in the rural environment of the 1979 Croatia. I was a shy 7-year old kid back in 1979 and most of the “role model” rascals were 5-6 years older than me (which made them a good reference for Grga’s character), so there’s definitely an autobiographical element thrown in there. Furthermore, since the poem was first published in 1967, adding Grga’s 12 years to it equals 1979. 
Basically, it’s all mathematics combined with a bit of sentimentality.
  Odlučio sam prikazati glavnoga lika kao mršava, visoka klinca u hrvatskom ruralnom okruženju 1979. godine. Te sam godine bio sramežljiv sedmogodišnji klinac, i većina je “uzornih” mangupa bila 5-6 godina starija od mene (čime su postali dobra referenca za Grgin karakter), tako da ovdje nedvojbeno postoji autobiografski element. Nadalje, budući da je pjesma prvi put objavljena 1967. godine, ako tome dodamo 12 Grginih godina, konačan zbroj je 1979.
U suštini, sve je to matematika udružena s malo sentimentalnosti.


Greg Crackling, pages 4-5   Grga Čvarak, stranice 4-5

The illustrations carry many references to that particular place and time. All were painted in oils on 70x35 cm wood panels and combined with digital medium. Aside from illustrating it, I also designed the book.
The book received the Grigor Vitez award for illustrations.
  Ilustracije obiluju referencama na to vrijeme i mjesto. Sve su naslikane uljenim bojama na drvenim podlogama 70x35 cm, u kombinaciji s digitalnom tehnikom. Osim što sam je ilustrirao, slikovnicu sam i grafički oblikovao.
Slikovnica je dobitnica nagrade Grigor Vitez za ilustracije.


Greg Crackling, pages 12-13   Grga Čvarak, stranice 12-13