"Holiday adventures in the Italian countryside lead to new friendships and understanding."
Interspersed with poems, and set in the forested hills of Perugia, Coral Rumble’s book quietly takes readers on a real adventure, one involving an encounter with a bear, secret escapades, and the forging of new friendships. It’s narrated by Jakub and describes the summer holiday he spends with family friends the Koniks.
Jakub is carer for his mum, who has MS, and is worried about leaving her, and irritated by the Koniks’ daughter Marta, who is the same age, super clever but, in his opinion, childish. The holiday turns out to be quite magical however, as he explores the local area with the family’s neighbour/caretaker Signor Mancini, learning about the wildlife and even befriending an otter. Slowly too, he and Marta become friends as they get to know one another properly.
The setting is beautifully described, and readers will feel that they too have had an Italian holiday, but just as warm and real is the friendship that develops between the two children. Coral Rumble finds time and space for all this in a book that is thoughtful, memorable and full of insight.
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A quiet delight in so many ways. Empathetic and horizon broadening, with child-carer representation, this is a must for any school classroom or library.
This book was such a quiet delight in so many ways. Jakub is a child carer, devoted to his mum with MS and diligently ensuring that he cooks, cleans, helps her to bed and then does his homework. He doesn’t allow himself to think that he might be missing out, but his mother knows he needs a break, and arranges for Jakub to go on holiday to rural Italy with family friends who have a house there.... Read Full Review
In her first work of fiction Coral tells the story of ten-year-old Jakub Polanski who cares for his single mum, Maria, who has multiple sclerosis. The weight of responsibility has made Jakub forget he is a child, and his life outside of school is full of adult concerns.
Everyone is worried about Jakub's mental health. To take the pressure off his mum and give Jakub a break, life-long family friends, the Koniks, take Jakub on holiday to Italy. While there Jakub learns about Marta's passion for writing poetry and storytelling, and she shows him that freedom and adventure are there for the taking.
He discovers he is funny and smart and is not only defined by being a carer. And, in Italy, Jakub finds hope as he listens to an old, wise woodsman, who teaches him about otters, especially one injured otter called Piccolo.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Jakub's Otter and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Jakub's Otter features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Animal Stories, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, PSHE: Family Issues, PSHE: Health , Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health
Jakub's Otter is available in Paperback
Jakub's Otter was written by Coral Rumble and published by Troika Books
Jakub's Otter has 162 pages
£8.09
