“Once, a family came to a small town: its mother and daughter Yumma.” This is how this story begins between Pello Añorga and Jokin Mitxelena. And in all storytelling, that aroma of classic stories that tells the beginning is maintained; the book has a structure of ancient stories, and it could have been an old story if it hadn't been invented.

The little Yumma is the protagonist of the story: He comes to the people, the death of his mother, the magical object he gives him (golden ball), the problems he has when he loses the object, the love of his people, how he finds the golden ball and a completely happy ending. The functions of the stories proposed by Proppe appear noticeably – the ones usual in folk tales – and that is why the story has the trace, the structure, the smell of classical stories. The protagonist has an initial loss – they are exiled and then loses their mother – and has to pass several tests – especially the way in which the disease that no one illuminates is cured – to achieve happiness in the end: “Long live our queen,” everyone shouted. Yumma, then glorified, came out of the room and started walking through the village, barefoot, happy, illuminated as a golden ball, friendly and shiny.”

I said that this book is a story, we should say that it is an illustrated story and not an album, because reading or listening to the text you can follow the argument and know the development, anguish or joy of Yumma; but you cannot ignore the work of Jokin Mitxelena by the illustrations. In addition to the fact that the thread of argument is an ideal and enriching means to follow through images, Jokin Mitxelena makes good use of colors to reinforce the tone of the story; to increase the situation, the journey, the anguish of Yumma; and also to place us in a distant place, as the garments, the houses and other elements have taken us centuries ago.

In this sense, we can say that we are dealing with another great work carried out between Pello Añorga and Jokin Mitxelena. The reader will meet the little Yumma, whom they call the “princesite” and who joins to witness a journey towards maturity. The book is a pleasant surprise for those who know the works of these creators, as you notice a change of style, but it is also another example of tandem Añorga and Mitxelena. Also an example of the strength and quality that the illustrated books and the albums are gradually acquiring.