Additional information
by Heinz Janisch (Author), Helga Bansch (Illustrator), Evan Jones (Translator)
The rhino is a big mountain range. When he comes, the earth shakes. On his back he carries a small bird.
The rhino dreams of being as light as the little bird on its back. But he is needed for his stability, the food he provides and to be a protector.
The little bird would like to be as heavy as the rhino, so it will not be blown back and forth by the storm.
Everyone wants to be different but each animal is perfect the way they are.
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Here comes Rhinoceros.
Beautiful as a mountain.
A tiny bird settles on his back,
gentle as a snowflake,
and chirps.
A tiny bird,
a fellow traveller
who flies away too soon.
Author Biography
Heinz Janisch
is an Austrian children's book author and editor. He is a journalist on the radio, editor of the ORF series " Menschenbilder ", and has published numerous stories, poems and picture books. Janisch's works are characterized by a lyrical tone and have been translated into many languages. Janisch lives in Vienna and Burgenland.
Helga Bansch
was born in Austria. She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught children from 6 to 11 years old. She has also worked with children with behaviour problems and disabilities, and discovered painting as a means of expression for them. Helga works mainly with acrylics on canvas and, for her children's book illustrations, on paper. Her illustrations have garnered many prizes, including Austria's Most Beautiful book in 2007 and the Children's Book Prize for the City of Vienna three years running, 2011-2013. She lives and works in Vienna.
Evan Jones
is the author of Nothing Fell Today But Rain, a finalist for the Governor-General's Literary Award for Poetry, and Paralogues . He co-edited the anthology Modern Canadian Poets. Evan lives in Manchester, UK, with his family.
