Call it serendipity, or perhaps merely good luck, but sometimes a children’s book appears at just the right time. Over the last week there has been a great deal of concerned discussion about the findings published in the National Literacy Trust’s recent report, Children and Young People’s Reading in 2024. It was heartening to see the children’s book community come together to share positive experiences, plans and initiatives with the hope that we can make a difference. November is also Empathy Action Month when the Empathy Lab team encourage everyone to make every day an Empathy Day, and to keep taking steps to build a better, more empathetic world.

Jakub, never fear danger before it arrives…What ifs weigh heavy; why nots lift the heart. – Signor Mancini: Jakub’s Otter

As I was pondering on the report findings and the work of Empathy Lab, Jakub’s Otter, Coral Rumble’s first novel for children, reached the top of my reading pile. I’m so glad that it did! If ever you are searching for a book to encourage empathy and kindness, soothe a worried mind and stimulate an interest in our natural surroundings and its inhabitants this is a wonderful example. The characters feel so real, the setting so beautiful and the kindness within its pages so thoughtful that I slowed down my reading as I didn’t want to say goodbye to Jakub and his new friends.

Ten year old Jakub, an only child, looks after his mum who has multiple sclerosis. Although he never complains and loves his mum dearly Jakub has had to take on grown up responsibilities at a very young age. When family friends, the Koniks, offer to take Jakub on holiday to Italy with them the boy worries about his mum even though her sister is going to stay with her in his absence. However once in Italy Jakub meets an elderly, wise woodman who gently encourages Jakub to relax. Together they look after an injured young otter and Jakub learns more about the countryside in which he is staying. Marta, the daughter of the Koniks, is talkative when Jakub is quiet and initially Jakub finds her irritating and a little childish. However, as their holiday progresses he learns that Marta has a passion for storytelling and poetry and slowly a friendship develops.

I loved this story. Despite its quiet approach Jakub’s Otter takes children on quite a big adventure through the Italian countryside with bears and wolves, alongside cats and otters. Jakub is an appealing narrator and his experiences are broken up with Marta’s thoughtful poems thus allowing us to gradually understand the personalities of the two children. The gradual forging of the bond between them is lovely. The most important friendship though is perhaps between Jakub and the wise and kind Signor Mancini who introduces him to the local area and to the otter who has such an impact on Jakub. It is beautiful to see Jakub who has spent so long caring being cared for instead. Although Jakub’s home life is not described in detail by the end of the book we understand that he has gained much from his holiday through the love and understanding shown to him.

Jakub’s Otter is a beautiful book; thoughtful, kind and wise. I think adults would enjoy sharing this with the young people in their lives be that at home or in school. Some of the discussions about the decline in reading for enjoyment have dwelt on the need for funny books for children. Although this is true I also think there is a place for quiet books such as this one. Stories don’t have to feature magic, battles and dragons to help children be brave, sometimes kind, thoughtful understanding can be empowering.

Jakub’s Otter by Coral Rumble is published by Troika Books and is available now. You may like to visit Coral’s website to find our more about her books, poetry and additional information and useful links.