When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by Polish soldiers during World
War II, little does anyone know that little Wojtek will become one of
the bravest fighters of them all. As the soldiers train to take part in
some of the fiercest fighting of the war, Wojtek grows up, providing
headaches and laughter in equal measure as he learns to drink beer,
chase horses and wrestle with his human friends. But at Monte Cassino,
as the Allies try and dislodge German troops from their mountain-top
eyrie, Wojtek, now a fully signed-up solider with his own rank and
number, comes into his own, dodging the bullets to carry ammunition to
his comrades as they inch their way to victory.
After the war, the Polish solders move to Scotland. Wojtek comes too and
soon becomes the centre of attention in a new country. But with
hostilities ended, how long can he keep his freedom? Best-selling
children's author Jenny Robertson explores the themes of friendship and
trust in this moving and inspirational story.