Tak, B. D. (2011). Soldier
bear. Ill. by Philip Hopman. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young
Readers. ISBN978-0-8028-5375-2
Taken in by a group of
liberated Polish soldiers, a bear cub named Voytek, becomes a well known
attribute to World War II. Voytek experiences war as he travels with this
soldiers from Iran, to Egypt, to the war fronts of Italy and helps by carrying
bombs for his company, catches a spy within his soldiers camp, and provides endless
entertainment for the company. With his continuous mischief, Voytek keeps his
fellow soldiers on their toes and steals the hearts of some of the hardest
military officers, as well as the reader’s. When the war comes to an end and
the soldiers disperse back to their native homes, it is Voytek who finds a
permanent home he never really had and continues to provide entertainment to
patrons on a daily basis.
Readers are introduced to
a contributing soldier of World War II. There is just one thing different about
him, he is a bear named Voytek. Tak provides a story about Voytek and his unit
as they experience the war from behind to the front of enemy lines. Adolescents
will find how not only humans fought in past war, but can see how they
contribute to today’s unfortunate global events. They can compare how Voytek
assisted then and how America uses dogs to assist in battle now.
Students are able to
visualize Voytek in his mischievous behaviors and can emotionally connect to
wanting to be seen and loved. Teachers can use such a text to discuss
inferencing and predicting what Voytek will do next as well as teach cause and
effect. Along with Holocaust units taught in school, students can parallel read
Soldier Bear and find a piece that is
uplifting and has a happier ending than most World War II texts.
Other books that could be
used to pair with Soldier Bear
include the following:
· Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero by Aileen Orr
o ISBN 978-1843410652
·
War Hero Bear
by Jenny Robertson
o
ISBN 978-1780272276
REVIEWS
Kirkus Review
A bear cub purchased by a pair of Polish free soldiers in
the Iranian desert in 1942 becomes a private in the Polish army, a member of
the 22nd Transport Company and an active participant in the war in Italy.
Tak bases her novel on actual facts: Wojtek (spelled
phonetically as Voytek in Watkinson's translation) was a real Syrian brown
bear, really in the Polish Army and really the artillery-carrying subject of
his company's emblem. But her humans are fictional characters, a group of five
soldiers including Peter, the bear cub's new "mother," Stanislav, who
purchases him and figures out how to feed him, and Lolek, who adopts the monkey
who eventually becomes his friend. The narrative focuses on the bear's antics,
which both enliven the soldiers’ lives and cause them difficulty. Originally
published in Holland in 2009 as Soldaat Wojtek, this is smoothly
translated and engagingly illustrated with sketches and helpful maps. Funny,
fresh and heartwarming, it doesn't ignore the horrors of war but concentrates
on the joy of having an animal friend, albeit a difficult one.
Readers of any age do not need to know anything about the
complicated history of the Polish free forces or even World War II to enjoy
this tale of “a friend and a mascot who made the war easier to bear.” – Kirkus Review
I tend to become emotionally wrapped up with my characters
from time to time. I fell in love with Voytek and his mischievous actions, but
also his attachment to his “peoples.” When Voytek is left behind at the zoo, I
cried a few tears. The idea of separation from his unit he grew up within,
tugged at my heart. Knowing not all would see one another again tugged even
harder.
I found the book easily read for older young adults, not
complicated to grasps. With a lot of material about soldiers and individual
stories, it was nice to see a story about an animal and how they contributed to
such a devastating historical global event.
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