Urban Jungle – a children's book published by PURO

- I made up the story for my daughter when she couldn't sleep. Then I sat down to write the subsequent chapters, says Agata Napiórska, the author of the book. I was inspired by our family walks around Warsaw's Bielany district and the city itself, which you get to know through the eyes of a small child. 

Initially, Napiórska's text was available in audio form – in Polish read by Asia Okuniewska, and in English read by Agata Borowiecka, known on Instagram as Grammar Mamma. Hotel guests could listen to it in their rooms using the touchscreen tablet. 

Then came the idea of creating a book. Maria Bulikowska (Mroux) was invited to illustrate it. Mroux's slightly cartoonish, slightly retro style is a great fit with the content while creating a parallel story. 

- I decided to refer to the black-and-white illustrations by Sempé, known for “Mikolajek,” and my favourite illustrator, Janosh, says Mroux. 

- The story is about little Irenka, who has a special gift – she can talk to animals. But the zebra, elephant and snake she meets on her way to kindergarten and the playground are not ordinary animals, says Agata Napiórska. 

It’s a story about friendship, about not-so-distant journeys, trying new things and coming home happily. 

- Every child who spends the night at PURO with their family will get the book at check-in, as a special welcome gift. The offer will last until stocks last, says Paulina Masłowska, Marketing & PR Manager at PURO. For now, the book is only available in Polish. 

Miejska Dżungla (eng. Urban Jungle) 
text: Agata Napiórska 
illustrations: Mroux 
book design: Krystyna Engelmayer-Urbanska 
number of pages: 56
hardcover 

Photos: Piotr Czyż