Rudolf Welser’s children’s book now available in Ukrainian

How can we explain to a child what law actually is? Why do we need laws? What does it mean for something to be fair or unfair? And what do courts, lawyers, notaries and the police actually do? Rudolf Welser found a distinctive way to introduce these complex questions to young readers: in simple, accessible and humorous verse. Across ten chapters, the book introduces children to fundamental concepts of law and justice, complemented by illustrations by Robert Fucik and a small legal glossary.

The Ukrainian edition was published by PAIS in Lviv in 2026, translated from German by Nataliia Kvit. Its publication was made possible with the support of Ukraine Office Austria at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, including financial and organisational support.

About the author: Rudolf Welser (1939–2024) was one of Austria’s leading legal scholars, a long-standing professor at the University of Vienna and head of its Research Unit for European Legal Development and Private Law Reform. Generations of Austrian law students also knew him as co-author of Koziol/Welser, a standard reference work on Austrian civil law. Alongside his extensive academic work, Welser published several humorous books. Mama, Papa, was ist Recht? was his first book written specifically for children, bringing together decades of teaching experience with his characteristic humour and love of language.

We are especially pleased that the book is now accessible to Ukrainian children, parents and educators. Its publication is another example of how Austrian-Ukrainian cooperation can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas while helping younger generations engage with fundamental concepts of law, justice and democratic society.

📖 Rudolf Welser, “Мамо, тату, що це — право?”
Translated from German by Nataliia Kvit
Lviv: PAIS, 2026
72 pages
ISBN 978-617-7694-93-8