The Barrel-Pup

Original title: Бочонок собачонок

Boris Zakhoder’s The Barrel-Pup is a joyful collection of poems filled with humor, imagination, and that unmistakable spark of childlike wonder. Here live an elephant, a bear, a goat and, of course, countless dogs and puppies. They are not just animals, but characters with their own tempers and philosophies, reflections of the lively, humane world Zakhoder created. The book’s illustrations by Valery Dmitryuk capture this playful spirit perfectly. His drawings are instantly recognizable, they are bright, dynamic, full of wit, energy, and a sense of artistic freedom. Looking at them, one can’t help but marvel at the inventiveness of composition, the confident handling of line and lettering, and the cheerful rhythm that seems to make every page move. Dmitryuk’s art speaks the same language as Zakhoder’s poetry, spirited, ironic, daring, and full of joy. He often said that the illustrator’s task is to help a child understand the author’s idea and reveal what lies between the lines. In The Barrel-Pup, he does exactly that: his drawings don’t just accompany the poems, they play along with them, amplifying their rhythm and laughter.