Overview

A Warm, Humorous, and Heartfelt Story for All Generations In the first book of the Gusta & Gusto series, we follow Gusta, the graceful Rhino Lady, and her friend Gusto, the charming Rhino Gentleman, through six imaginative stories set in Rhino Country - tales of friendship, courage, self-confidence, generosity, and heartfelt warmth. Their contrasting personalities create tender, heart-opening moments as they learn to trust themselves and follow the compass of their hearts. With humor, curiosity, poetic sensitivity, and gentle animal wisdom, Gusta and Gusto grow through their adventures, discovering the beauty of life - sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes through quiet intuition. Along the way, they navigate emotions, misunderstandings, and shifting perspectives, revealing the magic that can arise from friendship, trust, and authenticity. Timeless as salt: these stories explore hope, belonging, and inner strength through universal themes that resonate across ages and cultures. Told in clear, accessible language and shaped with emotional depth, the book invites readers to pause, connect, and rediscover the simple joy of friendship. Suitable for shared read-aloud moments as well as independent reading for children, teens, and adults. A thoughtfully produced paperback edition for families, bookstores, libraries, and all who appreciate thoughtful storytelling. The lovingly crafted illustrations add charm and warmth, making the book a delightful addition to displays and a meaningful gift. Published by Gusta & Gusto Publishing House, with attention to clarity, readability, and accessibility-aware design inspired by current guidelines for accessible reading (BFSG). Stories for rhinos and humans of all ages - from around the world - full of heart, kindness, humor, and depth. Ideal for cozy reading at home and equally suitable for classroom settings. For anyone who loves tales that inspire connection, friendship, and courage. Also available in German: Gusta & Gusto - Hörner & Herzen im Nashornland.

Full Product Details

9783907730126

Table of Contents

Reviews

""The adventures of Gusta & Gusto are such a joyful read - we found ourselves smiling again and again. The chapters are the perfect length for a little inspiration in between."" - Feedback (two world travellers) ""The book is beautifully illustrated and perfectly matches the adventures of Gusta and Gusto. You really feel connected to the two rhinos - as if you were in Rhino Country yourself. I can warmly recommend it as a gift."" - Reader feedback (film student) ""Over breakfast, I just read the Hide-and-Seek story - it's lovely. I'm looking forward to reading it aloud at school."" - Teacher feedback ""Behind the humor, there's real wisdom: self-trust, kindness, and the courage to grow - told in a light and playful way, and perfect for sharing across generations."" - Reader feedback (cultural professional) ""Courage, self-confidence, and friendship have become important elements in the classroom. These are social and emotional themes that are also reflected in the curriculum. The book Gusta & Gusto proved to be an ideal class read for exploring these important topics and deepening them together with the students. The chapters are also the right length. The additional material on the website is excellent as well. Highly recommended."" - Teacher feedback (third-grade class) ""The stories of Gusta & Gusto are told with refreshing clarity, offering charming and inspiring perspectives through the voices of the two rhinos and the many animals of Rhino Country."" - Reader feedback (narrator) ""Rhino Country is a magical place. Gusta & Gusto share their adventures with humor and depth, finding a compassionate and down-to-earth solution for every challenge - vividly told, enriching, and beautifully imagined. Bravo."" - Reader feedback (actor) ""Gusta & Gusto are fun stories and an easy read."" - Reader feedback (student with dyslexia) ""I can no longer read myself, not even with glasses. My neighbour reads stories from Gusta & Gusto to me, and that brings me comfort. I find the stories very beautiful, with humour and drawn from real life. Thank you."" - Listener feedback (age 89) ""A really cool book with beautiful details and great storytelling - I enjoyed it a lot."" - Reader feedback (professional DJ) ""Light reading with depth - very pleasant to read, perfect for a holiday or an evening by the beach. It simply lifts your mood and brings springtime vibes - that's Gusta & Gusto."" - Reader feedback (fitness instructor) ""We often hear about conflicts between generations - yet the stories of Gusta & Gusto show how beautiful and possible a peaceful togetherness can be. Especially the story Gusta and the Magic Lamp reminds me how precious the connection between young and elderly truly is. The essential things of being human have nothing to do with age or profession, but with relationships and a sense of connection that nourish the heart. The stories remind me of my own grandparents - when I was a young girl - and how they loved me simply as I am. It is a blessing to have grandparents and to share the time we are given in life together."" - Listener feedback (grandmother)

Author Information

Lea Sakran is an author, storyteller, and professional multilingual voice-over artist based in Switzerland. Having lived in various places, she brings a global perspective to her work. With a strong artistic background in music, dance, and the performing arts, she founded Gusta and Gusto Publishing House and creates stories with a holistic and compassionate approach that inspires imagination, courage, humor, and connection across generations. She has worked at state theatres and in the independent scene as a writer, director, actor, and production lead, creating theatre and musical productions. In addition, she has contributed to opera productions, including work in text and dramaturgy. For more than seven years, she taught creative writing and wrote over 100 scripts for image films, developing a strong sense of rhythm, narrative structure, and voice. Drawing on her bilingual background and her refined sensitivity to cultural translation and storytelling across linguistic and cultural boundaries, Lea Sakran wrote the first volume of Gusta and Gusto - Horns and Hearts in Rhino Country in both English and German to make the stories accessible to an international audience. She believes that the strongest versions of a work emerge through dialogue between languages and cultures. She shaped each edition with cultural sensitivity in language and imagery, preserving the narrative's tone, warmth, and subtle nuances. With Gusta and Gusto - Horns and Hearts in Rhino Country (Book 1), the author invites readers of all ages on a warm, humorous journey that, in its lightness, carries a quiet depth of wisdom - an approach that runs throughout her work and opens windows to broader perspectives. Lea Sakran has appeared as a guest on various podcasts, sharing insights on storytelling, voice, and creative work. More information about the publishing house can be found at gusta-gusto.com. Jason Van Winkle is a Los Angeles-born artist currently living in Berlin. He has been drawing and painting his whole life and is currently Studio Director at Visual Storyline, where he produces art and animation for international brands, game shows and movies. He also illustrated the children's book ""Sunny Finds Her Smile"" by Linda Nudel. When he's not drawing on the computer, he enjoys making music, drinking too much coffee and playing with his He-Man toys. Jason Van Winkle is the illustrator of Gusta and Gusto. More about his work at visualstoryline.com.

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