«Miron and the Secret of Books» cartoon pitch.

Genre: Detective, Fantasy, Drama, Family. Type/Runtime: Short animated film. Audience: 6+

A six-year-old boy, Miron, begins to notice that books in the library are going missing, but no one believes him. During his investigation, he discovers a monster that consumes people’s memories by eating books.

Is this just his imagination, or is a great danger threatening everyone?

The main character, Miron, is 6 years old. He is a quiet, thoughtful boy who is not troubled, but who is curious. He can read and write a little.

He has a toy named «Krolia.» It serves as his companion, best friend, and a way for the boy to voice his theories out loud.

His problem, and the foundation of the narrative, is that adults often dismiss, do not believe, or sometimes ignore children’s anxieties.

Miron’s mother is a teacher and raises him on her own. She is often late, forgetful, and frantic.

Suspect Profiles:

The head instructor is a stern, loud woman of middle age. Her mere presence intimidates the main character.

The elderly librarian is a grumpy sophisticate. She disapproves of Miron being in the library.

The janitor is a taciturn and quiet young man. He often appears tense and frightened if spoken to.

Because of the move, Miron’s mom hasn’t managed to enroll him in daycare yet, and she convinced her boss to let the boy stay at the library.

While spending his days there, Miron began to notice that books were going missing from the library, even though no one was taking them. The librarian says she doesn’t remember any such books, but the boy finds it strange and curious. «It can’t be that the librarian doesn’t remember these books! But I do!»

He arms himself with his notebook and pen, his plush helper Crowley, and starts an investigation.

First, suspicion falls upon the frightening principal and her «secret room.» After getting the key from the janitor, he sneaks inside. While searching for books, he knocks things over and makes a mess, but the missing books are not there. He is caught in the act and told that it is her office and that no one is allowed in there, especially not children.

In the evening, while talking with his mom, Miron shares his investigation, but now he doesn’t know who to suspect. His mom, playing into the child’s imagination, says: «Maybe everyone forgot about these books? They haven’t been read in ages, and they went off to a forgotten world.»

The next day, a terrifying monster-like sound is added to the suspicious elements. Everything connects in a logical conclusion: the monster is eating the books and, by doing so, is consuming the memory of them, which is why the librarian remembers nothing and suffers.

«What if… the monster eats all the books, and then everyone who ever read them loses their memory! Bunny, we cannot allow this! Everyone could be in danger!»

The stakes are raised, and the investigation moves forward.

Before bed, Miron persuades his tired mom to go to the library together at night to stop the monster because the books only disappear after dark. She dismisses him.

Sometime later, while his mom is asleep, Miron gathers his things and sneaks out of the house. He realizes he cannot catch and stop the monster alone, so he takes his mom’s phone. «I’ll take a picture of it, and I can prove I was right! She will help me.»

Entering the library, Miron sets a trap and waits in ambush. The monster emerges from the ventilation shaft, and the boy is startled. Dropping his phone, a flash blinds Miron and reveals his hiding spot. The chase begins.

Just as the boy is about to reach the exit, Krolya falls along with his notebook. Miron is faced with a choice: save his memories in the notebook or his partner. He runs headlong, shouting and trying to save Krolya, grabbing and pulling him back.

The library door flies open, and Miron tumbles down, a toy in his hands. A frightened mother runs to him, and before the boy is not a monster, but the custodian. After a conversation and explanations, they leave.

The final shot shows an unnatural blink, like a monster’s, and the custodian is left holding a notebook of memories.