Bastian, son of no one

Bastian Balthazar Bux, a shy little fat boy of ten or twelve with a pale face and large, sad-looking eyes is neglected by his father, who still mourns the death of his wife, Bastian’s mother and the laughing stock of his school for daydreaming and stargazing. During a visit to an antique bookstore, he steals a curious-looking book.