Konrad, or The Child from the Tin Can

In the not-so-distant past, babies were brought by storks, or found in cabbages, or, at the very least, bought in a store. But Austrian writer Christine Nöstlinger, renowned for her unparalleled ability to craft books with unconventional plots, went even further: she canned a boy, fashioned in a special factory, in a tin can.

One fine day, the "insanely young and transcendently beautiful" Mrs. Berta Bertolotti, who indiscriminately orders everything that catches her eye in advertising brochures, receives in her latest package... a living boy named Konrad, who calls her "Mom." Before the boy's arrival, the lady lived life to the fullest, loving aggressive makeup, sharp words, a flexible daily schedule, sweet menus, and infrequent meetings with her pharmacist friend. Children simply didn't fit into her carefree life. But the boy turned out to be intelligent beyond his years and unbelievably obedient. Not a child, but a treasure! And Mrs. Berta tries her best to be a good mother.

Suddenly, the corporation that manufactured the perfect son realized that they had sent the boy to the wrong mother. This is arguably the most thrilling part of the book – rescuing Konrad from his rightful owners, the factory makers, for which an absolutely foolproof plan was devised.

By the end of the book, Konrad had become less perfect but more human. Undoubtedly, the other characters also evolved for the better.

The book raises serious themes: a reasonable balance in child-rearing, the conventionality of obedience, and the importance of love and attention. At the same time, it is uncontrollably funny, with many comical and, at the same time, touching moments. The book is recommended for children from early school age, as well as adults who appreciate a good book, to read and enjoy.