We all know about Winnie the Pooh and what they did for the Canadian army and British literature. But did you know the Polish army had Wojtek the Bear (or Private Wojtek Mis aka: Private Wojtek Teddy Bear)? A young bear cub was purchased by a soldier so a woman named Irena (Inka) Bokiewicz could care for it. However, she quickly learned it would become 500 pounds and even at the small size he was when found, he was already causing too much trouble. He was given to a Polish military unit and would become their mascot, mischievous playmate, a legend, but most importantly, a beloved friend and brother.
The history of the time is also included (we learn that the Soviets had invaded Poland, putting thousands of people into labor camps; and in exchange for their freedom they would have to fight for the Soviet Union against the Nazis), but we mostly focus on the bear in Brothers In Arms: A True World War II Story of Wojtek the Bear and the Soldiers Who Loved Him. Susan Hood knows how to spin a tale. We see all the support and moral one not so tiny of a bear would give a unit of soldiers. He would even become such a part of the group they would give him his own rank, paybook and everything! Private Wojtek Teddy Bear would later even be promoted to Corporal. Years later, at the mention of his name, one man would break into tears as the relationship between man and bear was not just a mascot, but the connection of orphans, of people who saw friends there one minute and gone the next, and of beings who survived.
The art of Jamie Green is delightful even though the ugliness of the situation and war itself is shown. There is a battle that while not gratuitously done is not completely done in a sheltered manner. The illustrations are colorful, bright, and used to soften the themes and subject. They are fun and cozy and I think they allow for a more traditional picture book aged reader to be able to enjoy it as well as the at least six/seven and up. However, due to the picture book format, this might turn off those aged readers. The afterwards perhaps was my favorite part (and I enjoyed the story itself). There is much more factual information and less the emotional (though true) parts of the actual text. There are photographs, a glossary of names with pronunciations, and much more (we even learn of another bear the same unit had). The book is currently available, but I read an online reader’s copy.