The Austrian writer Vera Ferrat-Mikura (1923–1997) adhered to traditional views on children's literature. “Children love stories that end well. Sometimes sad or dangerous events occur, but in the end everything must be resolved and balanced with comfort and hope. Even an adult, strong person needs illusions...” she believed. “Twelve People Are Not a Dozen” is a story about the value (or rather, pricelessness) of human intimacy, spiritual and physical kinship. From its pages, the reader is addressed with an eternally relevant appeal: “Be yourself - and think about others.”