Books
Zane Zusta is a Latvian writer whose books speak to both children and adults, exploring emotions, relationships, family, growing up and the often complicated experience of being human.
She made her literary debut in 2015 with “Ucipuci meklē mājas” (Ucipuci Is Looking for Home), a warm and adventurous story about a little toy owl who gets lost and sets out on a journey to find her way home. The book introduced Ucipuci, one of Zane’s best-known characters, and marked the beginning of a series that has grown beyond books into theatre, audio and screen projects.
The following Ucipuci stories, including “Ucipuci domā ārpus kastes” (Ucipuci Thinks Outside the Box), continue to combine imagination, playfulness and meaningful themes for young readers. Ucipuci Thinks Outside the Box was nominated for the Latvian Literature Award. Ucipuci’s adventures have also travelled beyond Latvia, with the books published in Lithuania, Estonia, North Macedonia, China and Saudi Arabia.
For adult readers, Zane writes about the inner world of people and the relationships that shape us. Her books explore love, family, choices, loss, self-discovery and the invisible struggles that people often carry within themselves. Several of her works have become bestsellers, including Tarakāni manā galvā, Tarakāni tavā galvā, Aiz durvīm and Nepieradināts putns.
Her work also includes poetry, short prose and stories for children, reflecting her interest in different literary forms and audiences.
Children’s books
- Ucipuci meklē mājas
- Ucipuci domā ārpus kastes
- Labrīmes, kas mudina bērnu izaugt par labāku cilvēku
- Es esmu Boss
- Toto atkož noslēpumu
- Austra, mākoņi un mazais putniņš
- Slepenais ceļojums pie Zobmošķa
Books for adults
- 20 padomi laimīgākai bērnībai
- Tarakāni manā galvā
- Tarakāni tavā galvā
- Aiz durvīm
- Tauriņa spārnu vēzieni
- Nepieradināts putns
- Mīļākā melleņu mētra
- Precēto sieviešu (grēk)sūdzes
Zane’s books continue to explore the same essential territory: people, emotions, relationships and the stories we carry within ourselves. Whether writing for children or adults, she is interested in stories that are emotionally honest, warm and recognisable.