True stories of the animals who served beside soldiers: Wojtek, the bear who carried shells at Monte Cassino, and Ciapek, the co‑pilot dog.
Read his story
Origins
A childhood in Masuria
Born in 1982 in a picturesque lake district in northern Poland, where his love of storytelling was inspired by the natural beauty and wonder around him. He spent his days looking after his rabbits and riding his bicycle between the local lakes.
He started writing at sixteen. He knew even then that he would become an author.
His first book, years later, was about meditation. In 2014 came a collection of bilingual stories that helped children learn Polish and English. Neither one was the book he is known for now — that began with a conversation.
The first stories
War Bear
The soldier bear of Monte Cassino, for young readers.
It wasn't until his uncle and his university tutor told him about Wojtek that he knew this was the story he had to tell. His first young adult novel gained widespread acclaim and established him as a writer to watch.
Wojtek was trained to carry heavy mortar shells alongside the soldiers at Monte Cassino. After the war he lived out his days in Scotland.
Order a copy
The animal heroes
Ciapek
The co-pilot dog, and the war hero history forgot.
Inspired by the heroic animals that accompanied soldiers during times of war, he has continued to write the stories of the ones history left out. Ciapek, the Co-Pilot Dog and Ciapek, the Forgotten War Hero are a moving tribute to the brave animals that played a crucial role in history.
Order a copy
He dreams that one day his stories will be adapted for the big screen, where they can reach a wider audience.
