The brand new picture book by Uroš Grilc and Gregor Goršič, POGI PA PIKA, is truly something special! The story of Tadej Pogačar and Urška Žigart takes us into a fairy-tale world of goblins, giants, and dragons, inspiring young and old alike to take up cycling. And how much new information you learn about the two real-life heroes, Pogi and Pika: why is Urška called Pika and where did Tadej learn to master cycling skills so skilfully?

The picture book was published in the Škratolovščine collection by the Škrateljc publishing house, which creates a fairy-tale and adventure trail across Slovenia, family adventures in nature, linked to original stories in picture books.
Fairytale creatures carry children on the wings of imagination to real places, to forest adventures, where children and adults find themselves in the middle of a story and become its heroes. The combination of fairy tales and reality is also a feature of the new picture book. POGI PA PIKA.

This is how the main characters, Tadej Pogačar and Urška Žigart, accompanied the picture book on its journey to readers. "We were delighted to participate in the creation of the picture book POGI PA PIKA, which is something very special—a cycling fairy tale for children and anyone who still believes in the magic of the world and the power of dreams. The story combines real adventures with imaginary heroes – goblins, giants, and dragons – and encourages readers to be brave, persistent, and active. The book is not just about us, Tadej and Urška, but above all about how important it is to believe in yourself – whether it's your first bike ride or your big life goals.

We believe that POGI PA PIKA will inspire many young readers—that they will dream, move, and believe in the power of perseverance.

The story of the picture book POGI PA PIKA is a fairy tale, and illustrator Gregor Goršič has vividly depicted the goblins, dragons, and giants who test Pogi and Pika in their cycling adventures. Author Uroš Grilc conceived the story as a journey of the two heroes from their school days, which are of course connected with cycling, through their encounters with fairy-tale heroes: "Goblins, dragons, and giants test Piko and Pogi in a hundred and one ways, training them and ultimately molding them into the cyclists they are today. With effort and perseverance, and of course courage, Pogi and Pika set an example for all children to follow their dreams. And the bicycle can be a great companion on the way to achieving those dreams: whether it's on the way to school, on a trip, or for training and top-level sports."

That is why Urška and Tadej conclude the story in the picture book POGI PA PIKA as follows: "This is our cycling fairy tale. With real and fairy-tale heroes. If you believe in gnomes, dragons, and giants, they will certainly help you through many trials. If you believe in yourself, they will take you all the way to your dreams. How? On a bike, of course!"

Another special feature of the picture book POGI PA PIKA is that the fairy tale takes place at iconic cycling locations in Slovenia and Europe: from Vršič and Krvavec, where Tadej trained, to Treh Kraljev on Pohorje, which is Urška's home hill. But there's also Flanders, Col du Galibier, Strade Bianche, Passo dello Stelvio...

The illustrations in the picture book are rich, lively, and filled with enthusiasm and optimism, just like Pogi and Pika themselves. Gregor Goršič, illustrator: "Illustrating the story of POGI PA PIKA was a really special experience for me—not only exciting from an illustrator's point of view, but also special because I am a big fan of Tadej and Urška and an enthusiastic cyclist myself. The latter was actually a great help to me in my work. With my illustrations, I wanted to capture that childlike joy you feel when you sit on a bike and feel the freedom of the wind in your hair. That we should not be afraid of challenges, but face them and enjoy the journey. I hope that the picture book will encourage children to pedal courageously – both on their bikes and in life."

POGI PA PIKA is not just a story in a picture book, it is part of a broader campaign to promote physical activity among children and families, cycling, and a healthy lifestyle. The general sponsor of the POGI PA PIKA picture book is Lumar IG. Marko Lukić, owner and director of Lumar IG: "At Lumar, we believe in the power of role models and that the right future is one that we build together—with responsibility, compassion, and respect for people and the environment. The POGI PA PIKA project is more than just a book. It is a story about movement, cooperation, and positive values that we as a company share with Tadej and Urška. We are proud that, as the general sponsor, we can co-create an initiative that encourages both the youngest and the oldest to lead an active, sustainable, and courageous lifestyle. One that leads to a better tomorrow."

As the picture book will be interesting for aspiring cyclists, both young and not so young, it will undoubtedly encourage visits to famous Slovenian cycling challenges. The story of POGI PA PIKA also has its fairy-tale plot on the steep and long slope of Krvavec, Tadej Pogačar's home hill, where he carved himself into a top cyclist. That is why we are delighted that, through this picture book, we can invite cyclists from all over the world, including families, to Cerklje, where they will be able to join the main characters in creating a story of perseverance, courage, and kindness," says Andreja Megušar, acting director of the Cerklje Tourism Board, which is a partner in the POGI PA PIKA project.

The picture book POGI PA PIKA is available in all bookstores throughout Slovenia, on the website www.skrateljc.org, and at www.tadejpogacar.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the picture book POGI PA PIKA will be donated to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation, a charitable organization.