THE BOSS IN THE POND

                            The Boss of the Pond
Vermello the Cat is on the road again – curious, brave, and full of mischief. This time, his journey leads him into a world of frogs, dragonflies, and little ducklings. At first, he only wanted to enjoy the sunshine, but suddenly he finds himself in the middle of an unexpected situation: The pond is ruled by a self-proclaimed “boss” who loudly gives orders and intimidates the smaller animals.
Instead of looking away, Vermello decides to take action. He listens carefully, makes friends with the pond inhabitants, and works with them to create a plan to bring peace back to their home. Along the way, he discovers that true strength does not come from controlling others, but from cooperation, kindness, and genuine friendship. Courage also means standing up to someone who appears much stronger – and achieving more through heart, humor, and clever ideas than through threats or fear.
“The Boss of the Pond” is a book full of warmth, humor, and imagination. Children will laugh at Vermello’s creative ideas, cheer for him during his adventure, and discover in a playful way that togetherness is stronger than fear. Adults will appreciate the meaningful message, which is shared gently and naturally without ever becoming a lesson.
Alongside familiar characters, readers meet new inhabitants of the pond: a little duckling who is afraid to swim across the water, dragonflies that hardly dare to try anything new, and frogs that silently follow every command. Through Vermello’s example, children learn how important it is to find their own voice, make true friends, and stand together for fairness.
The story combines cheerful scenes – where Vermello trips over his own paws or happily joins the frogs in their chorus – with exciting moments in which he faces the pond’s boss. Humor and tension alternate, creating a lively reading experience that keeps young readers engaged.
A special feature of the series is the connection between fantasy and real-life themes. Although Teuropia is a magical world full of talking animals and wonderful places, the stories explore situations children know from their own lives: disagreements between friends, the feeling of being small or powerless, and the courage needed to grow beyond oneself.
“The Boss of the Pond” is the fifth volume of the series “Vermello the Cat’s Journey Through Teuropia.” Each volume tells a complete adventure, allowing new readers to begin the journey at any point. At the same time, every story adds another piece to the larger picture of a colorful world where friendship, cooperation, and fairness are always at the heart of every adventure.
The illustrations are an important part of the storytelling experience. Children can discover details that are only hinted at in the text, laugh at funny scenes, and dive even deeper into Vermello’s world. For many readers, the pictures create a bridge to the story and inspire them to explore books independently.
The books are perfect for many reading situations: as a family read-aloud story, as an independent reading book for primary school children, or as classroom reading material with clear language, manageable chapters, and age-appropriate themes. Parents and educators can easily use the story as a starting point for conversations:
“How would you have acted?”
“What does it mean to be a good friend?”
Eva Siebenherz writes with clarity, humor, and a gentle sense of playfulness. She respects young readers and never talks down to them.