Tag Przemystaw Wechterowicz

The Secret Life of a Tiger

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The Secret Life of a Tiger
Przemystaw Wechterowicz and Emilia Dziubak
Words & Pictures

Tigers aren’t necessarily all that they seem. Most certainly that is the case with the particular big cat who acts as narrator herein.
Yes, he’s a jungle dweller, brave and cheerful, wandering around his leafy abode, gossiping with friends, taking an occasional power nap and partaking of the odd morsel to keep his tummy rumbles at bay. A pretty peaceable life all told.
That of course, is contrary to all the rumours circulating about his dangerous nature.
However, our friendly narrator has, what he calls, his secret life, and that’s when his do-gooding persona emerges.
In fact, the creature has a multitude of nocturnal occupations.
He rustles up a yummy fruit salad for baby elephant,

acts as coiffeur for some orang-utans,

becomes a surrogate parent for some parrot’s eggs, an architect for some ants and much more.
Are we readers to be beguiled by all this altruistic behaviour? Hmmm!
As the narrator himself says, “ … don’t forget – you can’t believe all the stories you hear in the jungle.”
Wecherowic’s tongue-in-cheek, chatty telling sits so well with Emilia Dziubak’s fantastically funny illustrations. Don’t miss the balloon-twisting antics performed on cobra …

that’s a real rib-tickler – not least for that cobra!

I’ve signed the charter  

Hug Me, Please!

jillrbennett Leave a comment

Hug me, Please!
Przemystaw Wechterowicz and Emilia Dziubak
Words & Pictures
Przemystaw Wechterowicz weaves a seemingly simple, enchanting, tale of two bears.
With the taste of sweet honey on their tongues, Daddy Bear and Little Bear, spend the day hugging each and every character whose path they cross on the woodland walk they take together.
First off is Mr Beaver, a somewhat reluctant recipient who nonetheless agrees, only to discover ‘It felt strange but nice.’ Heartened by the experience, Little Bear suggests finding others to hug and so they do. he bestows a calming hug upon the alarmed Miss Weasel, two hares, an elderly elk, a Red-Riding Hood-hungry wolf …

even an anaconda.

Full of the feel-good factor, with occasional touches of surrealism …

this story imparts a vital message concerning the importance of being able to show and receive affection openly, about empathy and not overlooking anyone. (Listeners will be quick to point out at the end of the story, who it is that’s yet to be a hug receiver.
Emilia Dziubak’s bears are real large creatures with very sharp claws to their paws but this is the only scary thing about them;

and she beautifully rings the emotional changes with the animals’ expressions. I also love the focus on small things – a rainbow hued caterpillar, the delights of dancing, for instance, that are sources of pleasure; and the way in which scenes are framed with things of the natural world – leaves, berries, carrots, and wild flowers.
Both author and illustrator are award winners in Poland; it’s easy to see why. this is sheer delight from cover to cover.

I’ve signed the charter