Text: Ondřej Prokop
In this case, we are not talking about fabric, but rather an annual award given to the creators of the best books for children and young people published in the Czech language. The award has been in existence for more than 30 years and is the only award in the Czech Republic focused exclusively on children’s literature.
The annual Golden Ribbon Award guarantees high-quality children’s books and supports the growth of reading literacy, the development of a relationship with books, and the cultural enrichment of children.
The 2025 Golden Ribbon was awarded to books published in 2024. Works could be submitted by publishers, authors, translators, experts, and members of the public. This year, books printed in our printing house also received Golden Ribbons.
NON-FICTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (Literary section)
The Bicycle: The Means of Transport of the Future (Ondřej Buddeus & Jindřich Janíček, published by Paseka)
“The book Bicycle is not just a technical encyclopedia about an inconspicuous but important invention. The author reflects on the bicycle as an extraordinary phenomenon that has had a positive impact on society and continues to do so today. Together with the author, readers can reflect on the diverse relationships that the bicycle brings, not only historical and technical, but also, for example, aspects of freedom. How are a volcanic eruption and the invention of the bicycle related? Inquisitive readers will find answers to this and other questions in this richly illustrated book.”
NON-FICTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (Art section)
Bridges (Magda Garguláková & Jakub Bachorík, published by Labyrint)
“Bridges are an ingenious invention. They allow us to shorten our journeys, save energy, and enjoy unique views. Humans have been building bridges since they first crossed a fallen tree trunk over a river. This large, illustrated book tells the stories of more than seventy bridges—from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the French aqueduct Pont du Gard to our own Charles Bridge. It explains how bridges are built and what role they have played in history and art. It shows that bridges can also be found at the dentist, in sports, or when playing a musical instrument. And it will test your engineering skills when building a spaghetti bridge.”
FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (Translated section)
Giraffes Have Huge Hearts (Sofia Chanfreau, trans.: Marie Voslářová, publisher: Host)
“Translator Marie Voslářová has had an exceptionally productive and successful year. This year, the jury evaluated three of her translations from Swedish, all of which were excellent. The book that stands out the most is Giraffes Have Huge Hearts. The text is bursting with imagination and flows so naturally that it doesn’t feel like a translation at all. Readers can simply hop into the šůšocar with nine-year-old Vega, pack a chatterbox, and set off on an adventurous journey across Giraffe Island, through Krkošíje and Tělokraj, to the circus on the Mainland. And perhaps along the way they will manage to find their lost mother and rescue their enchanted father. “
Comics for children and young adults
The Trials and Tribulations of Sekora: Graphic Novel – Gamebook (Bára Šalamounová, published by Universum)
“Who was Ondřej Sekora, apart from being the creator of Ferda the Ant, author of numerous children’s books, and cartoonist? How did he earn his living in his early days, and why is he associated with rugby? How did he come to participate in the Tour de France, and what did Josef Hokr do for him? How did Sekora know Oldřich Nový, the darling of the nation? How did he react to the rise of Adolf Hitler, and what did World War II mean to him? All this and much more is explained in this award-winning comic novel.”
Our congratulations go to all the award-winning authors and publishers.
