A reissue of the classic picture book about the power of imagination and hope in transcending one's surroundings. Hugo is staying in hospital and is anxious to go home. From his bed overlooking the zoo, he hears the noises of the animals and begins daydreaming of a world outside the hospital. One by one, the animals invite him to join them - first an elephant, then a howler monkey, and finally a snow leopard - and he returns with tales of his adventures and 'souvenirs' for his envious sister. When it is finally time to go home, Hugo shares his secret with the other kids in the ward who then put on their slippers for their own imaginative adventures ...

Author Biography

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly regarded and awarded children's book authors. Some of her works include There's a Sea In My Bedroom, The Very Best of Friends, Old Pig, The Midnight Gang, Nighty Night!, Fox and Woolvs in the Sitee. Wayne Harris was born in Sydney. He studied English and Drama Theory at the University of New South Wales and spent his twenties exploring the world of music as a singer, performer and songwriter. At thirty Wayne returned to college to study Graphic Design. His first book was Rain for Christmas (written by Richard Tulloch) and he has since gone on to illustrate a number of books including A Bit of Company, Going Home and Bim Bam Boom! (all by Margaret Wild) and DragonQuest and Star Navigator (both by Allan Baillie). He has also written and illustrated two books himself: One Happy Hippo and Judy and the Volcano, shortlisted in 1995 for the NSW Premier's Literary Award and a CBC Notable Book. Wayne's other books include Impossible Pets, with Richard Morecroft and Alison Mackay, The House of Narcissus with author Margaret Wild and Gordon's Got A Snookie with text by Lisa Shanahan.