Pochwała Koziołka Matołka, czyli o mądrości literatury dla najmłodszych

The article attempts to reread the canonical work of Polish children’s literature. It perceives its protagonist, Koziołek Matołek, as a sage and insightful observer of the world, whose disguise of a fool allows him to distance himself from it. Hence, Przygody Koziołka Matołka [The Adventures of Matołek the Billy‑goat] might also serve didactic purposes when it comes to the young readers in the 21st century; these might learn from it how to laugh at themselves or dissociate from problems, which are indispensable qualities regardless of the times we live in.