Edgar Valter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edgar Valter
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| Born | 21 September 1929 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Died | 4 March 2006 (aged 76) |
| Occupation | Illustrator, writer, graphic artist, caricaturist |
| Nationality | Estonian |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Notable awards | Meie Mats |
Edgar Valter (born September 21, 1929, in Tallinn – died March 4, 2006, in Tartu) was a famous Estonian artist and writer. He was known for his amazing illustrations in children's books. Edgar Valter also drew funny pictures called caricatures.
He worked for 55 years, from 1950 to 2005. During this time, he illustrated over 250 books! His most well-known creation is Pokuraamat, also known as The Poku Book.
Contents
Edgar Valter's Life and Work
Edgar Valter was born in Tallinn on September 21, 1929. He was the fourth of eight children in his family. He finished middle school in 1945.
In 1950, Edgar Valter started working as an artist on his own. He became very good at illustrating children's books. He brought many beloved Estonian characters to life. Some of these include the Krõll, the Naksitrallid, the Sipsik, and the Kunksmoor.
He illustrated more than 250 books, and most of them were for kids. His funny drawings, or caricatures, appeared in many newspapers and magazines. Edgar Valter also worked for popular magazines like Hea Laps (meaning 'A Good Kid') and Täheke (meaning 'A Star'). He also contributed to Pioneer and Pikker, which was a humor magazine.
Edgar Valter spent his last 15 years living on a farm called Pöörismäe. This farm was in the Urvaste area of Võrumaa County. He passed away on March 4, 2006. His ashes were buried in Metsakalmistu in Tallinn.
The Wonderful World of Pokus
Pokuraamat (The Poku Book) was first published in 1994. This book tells the story of special creatures called Pokus. In real life, a poku is a type of grass mound found in the bogs of southeastern Estonia.
But in Edgar Valter's book, Pokus are lively, childlike beings. Their golden "hair" is actually the grass that grows on them, reaching all the way down to their feet! The main idea of The Poku Book is super important: it teaches us to respect nature and live in peace with it.
Pokuraamat was special because it was the first book Edgar Valter both wrote and illustrated himself. In 1996, it won a big award called the Nukits Competition. This award is given to the best children's book of the year. After this success, Edgar Valter wrote two more books about Pokus: Pokuaabits (The Poku ABC) in 2002 and Pokulood (Poku Stories) in 2004.
Discover Pokuland
There's a special place called Pokuland (Estonian: Pokumaa) in Rebaste village. It's a theme park where almost everything is connected to the amazing Pokus! It's a great place to visit and explore the world Edgar Valter created.
Popular Books by Edgar Valter
Here are some of the well-known books Edgar Valter wrote or illustrated:
- Jahikoera memuaarid (1974; 2004)
- Pokuraamat (The Poku Book, 1994; 2001; 2005)
- Ahaa, kummitab (1995)
- Kassike ja kakuke (1995)
- Lugu lahkest lohe Justusest ja printses Miniminnist (The Story of the Nice Dragon Iustus and the Princess Minimin, 1995)
- Kullast vilepill (1996)
- Isand Tuutu ettevõtmised (1997)
- Iika (1998)
- Pintselsabad (The Brushtails, 1998)
- Metsa pühapäev (1999)
- Kuidas õppida vaatama? (How Can You Learn to See? 2000)
- Ho-ho-hoo! (2002)
- Pokuaabits (The Poku ABC, 2002)
- Natuke naljakad pildid (2003)
- Pokulood (Poku Stories, 2004)
- Ikka veel kummitab (2005)
- Maalid 1983–2005 (2007). A collection of his paintings.
- Karikatuurid läbi aegade (2011). His caricatures from different times.
- Lasteraamatute illustratsioonid 1948–2005 (2014). Illustrations from his children's books.
Books Translated for Readers Abroad
Edgar Valter's books have been translated into other languages so more children can enjoy them!
Poku Stories
- Lithuanian: Puokių istorijos, 2014
- Udmurt: Пукейлэн мадёсъёсыз, 2010
The Poku Book
- Udmurt: Покъёс сярысь лыдзет, 2010
- Lithuanian: Puokiai, 2008
- Russian: Поки, 1995 (Tallinn); 2014 (Moscow)
Awards and Honors
Edgar Valter received many awards for his amazing work:
- 1991 Meie Mats
- 1995 Annual Children's Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (for The Poku Book)
- 1996 Nukits Competition, 1st place for writing and illustrations (for The Poku Book)
- 1996 Albu Parish's A. T. Tammsaare Award for Literature, special prize (for The Poku Book)
- 2000 Nukits Competition, 2nd place (for The Brushtails)
- 2001 The Estonian National Culture Foundation's award for his lifetime achievements
- 2001 Order of the White Star, 3rd Class (a high honor from Estonia)
- 2002 The Eerik Kumari Nature Conservation Award (for his work in nature conservation)
- 2006 Nukits Competition, 2nd place (for Poku Stories)
