The Jungle Crew: The Secret of the Garden

By Johanna Lumme

The jungle crew’s adventures in the big city continue as they encounter new acquaintances in the busy city streets! In the second book about the group of jungle refugees, the characters adapt to a new life in the city. Zebra is at school and Mama Hen has an interesting job, only poor Giraffe feels out of place. While struggling to find his place, Giraffe tries different things as he ponders what could be his speciality. When a fruit thief strikes in the jungle crew’s thriving garden, Giraffe is set to catch the evildoer. During the chase, Giraffe realizes that learning new things is a struggle but also extremely fun. And sometimes the solutions to secrets are right in front of you, as long as you know where to look. Each page is if filled with stunning illustrations that bring to life all the wonders and quirkiness of the jungle citizens who make their way in a new neighbourhood. The current pressing themes of climate change and migration are charmingly depicted in the voice of jungle animals in this captivatingly colourful sequel of Johanna Lumme’s timely picture book series.   Animation credit: Johanna Lumme  

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About the author

Johanna Lumme (b. 1990) is one of the most renowned illustrators and children’s book authors in Finland. The artist and illustrator is recognised for her illustrations in Finnish primary school books in collaboration with author Siri Kolu.Lumme is also the illustrator of two middle-grade series written by Kolu. The first series, Wild House, has appeared between 2019 and 2021. This was followed by the duo’s trilogy The Woken Ones of which the two first titles came out in 2022 and 2023.The artist began her own series of picture books as well. In 2019, Lumme brought out The Jungle Crew – Into the City! which is her debut picture book where the story of the Jungle Crew begins. This beautifully illustrated series presents a group of animal friends who move out of their home jungle into the city, and try to navigate their way in their new urban surroundings. All pictures are drawn and painted by hand, giving young readers a visually stunning series that teaches about being in a new environment and also taking care of it.