KERN LUDWIK JERZY Captain Ali's Menagerie (illustrations by Kazimierz Mikulski)

Warsaw 1957, Nasza Księgarnia, pp. 74, form. 17 x 21, booklet binding, rubbed at edges, spine taped, library stamps withdrawn.

A two-course dinner served on a plate is a novelty for any pet. But not for Captain Ali's charges! The whole menagerie, together with this brave sailor, is sailing from Africa to Poland. It is an unusual voyage, not only because of the peculiar passengers (and the meals they eat), but also because of the ports visited during the sailing (Parasolandia...) and the ships encountered, with equally puzzling crews. "Captain Ali's Menagerie" by Ludwig J. Kern, although he debuted with it several decades ago, still captivates with its accuracy of observations, sparkling humor and poetic artistry.