Jakub’s Otter

In her first work of fiction, award-winning poet Coral Rumble tells the story of ten-year-old Jakub Polanski. Jakub cares for his single mum, Maria, who has multiple sclerosis. The weight of responsibility has made Jakub almost forget that he’s a child, as his life outside of school is full of adult concerns. Everyone is concerned about Jakub’s mental health and so, to give him a break, life-long family friends, the Koniks, take Jakub on holiday to Italy.

On holiday, Jakub befriends Marta and learns about her passion for writing poetry and storytelling, and she shows him that freedom and adventure are there for the taking. Jakub also discovers that 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.