Korney Chukovsky: Doctor Aybolit. Printed book.

The origin story of Doctor Aybolit is reminiscent of the puppet boy Buratino, who traces his lineage back to a wooden doll named Pinocchio from an Italian fairy tale, or the story of the Wizard of the Emerald City, which emerged as a retelling of Frank Baum's fairy tale.
In the 1920s, Korney Chukovsky came across the first of fourteen future books about "Doctor Dolittle," the animal doctor written by English author Hugh Lofting. According to Lofting, the idea to write such a book came to him at the front. Impressed by the courageous behavior of horses and mules under fire, he invented a little doctor for them to ease their suffering.
Chukovsky began translating Lofting's book into Russian, became deeply moved by the noble mission of the fictional doctor, and wrote his own completely original fairy tale about Doctor Aybolit, which became a favorite among many generations of young readers. He not only created the protagonist's name but also introduced dozens of cultural elements into the text that were not in the original.
The essence of Doctor Aybolit lies in his kindness, his ability to heal any patient, his knowledge of animal language, and a heroism that sometimes borders on recklessness. He never refused help to anyone and never took money from the poor or from animals.
To save the sick monkeys, Doctor Aybolit set off on a dangerous journey to Africa. He bravely fought treacherous pirates, bandits, and the evil Barmaley, faced storms, and suffered shipwrecks time and again. He cured all his patients and, together with his friends – Avva the dog, Khryu-Khryu the piglet, Bumba the owl, Pushmi-Pullyu, and other characters – helped a boy named Pente find his father.
Chukovsky's tale is valuable not only for the thrilling adventures it describes. It contains a worldview that is understandable to a 5-8-year-old child. Evil is evil, and it must be punished. There are no half-measures.
This reprint of Korney Chukovsky's fairy tale "Doctor Aybolit" includes two parts: "Journey to the Land of Monkeys" and "Pente and the Sea Pirates." It is these parts that the artist illustrated with love and deep attention to the characters and details.
Chukovsky's tale is valuable not only for the thrilling adventures it describes. It contains a worldview that is understandable to a 5-8-year-old child. Evil is evil, and it must be punished. There are no half-measures.

Author: Korney Chukovsky

Illustrations: Vladimir Konashevich

Pages: 96 (offset). Hardcover

Dimensions: 260×198×15 mm