Hey everyone! So, guess what? I got to talk to the author of Bunky and the Walms, and I’m super excited to share it with you! Her name’s Aleksandra Tryniecka, and she’s the one who created Bunky – you know, the coolest, most bunkificent hippo ever! She even sews plushies of him and his friends, which is like, the best thing ever. In this interview, she talks about how Bunky came to life, what it’s like to be his friend, and how her stories bring comfort and fun to people. It was so much fun chatting with her, and I can’t wait for you to read all the awesome stuff she had to say. Let’s go!

So, Aleksandra, what’s the story behind Bunky? How did he pop into your imagination?

Thank you so much for your question! I am honoured to share Bunky’s story, as he grew to be an extremely important individual in my life! I believe that he had always been there, in my heart, before I consciously discovered him and offered him the name of Bunky. My beloved literary character was born in May 2018 during a conference in London. I discovered a hippo (plush toy) in one of the local stores, but there was something peculiar about him – his facial expression was quite unusual, and perhaps slightly ironic and wry. On the whole, the hippo looked quite pleasant – he just seemed to be endowed with humanlike complexity. I thought that one could tell so many stories while discovering the potential of such a complex nature – stories that I could actually write down! The plush toy I was holding in my hands that day was a regular representation of the hippo. I bought him and took him home with me, and then the image of my own Bunky appeared in my mind. The elegant streets of London and little, cosy neighbourhoods also inspired me to daydream about my Bunky, and he was finally planted in my heart! I saw him through the eyes of imagination in the refined, elegant yet cosy context of the Walms’ house, in a fairytale-like neighbourhood with the tallest spruce growing in the front yard – in the country of Walmland, in my future book.

I am writing these words on a December evening in 2024, and I would like to add more to the story – I visited London during the summer of 2024 and stepped into the store with the hippo once more! There he was again – the hippo, but a new 2024 version of the toy! Naturally, I also bought him and took him home with me! Now, both hippos stand on my shelf next to each other.

Coming back to the initial story – I began writing in 2019, intertwining my favourite themes of cosiness and domesticity with the Christmas spirit and belief in one’s dreams. Afterwards, the pandemic came, and I needed these themes even more – I kept writing and writing, knowing that this was exactly the right time to introduce Bunky and his peaceful world into the readers’ reality.

If you could hang out with any character from your stories (besides Bunky, of course), who would it be and why?

It is such a difficult choice because each and every character is precious to me, and I wouldn’t like any of them to feel excluded! Bunky and his literary friends became my friends too, and they have a tremendous impact on my life and reality. I believe that I would absolutely love to hang out with all of my dear literary characters! Perhaps, this time, to be as fair as possible towards all my literary friends, I would hang out with Dr. Beige, as he is only passing through Bunky’s town to judge the Golden Decimal Mathematical Contest (in my second novel dedicated to Bunky – Bunky and the Summer Wish). Being a renowned scholar and a passionate academic, he is so busy and preoccupied with opening numerous contests and events all around Walmland, therefore it would be a unique chance to hang out with him! We would be able to talk about academia and our literary interests, and perhaps, I could benefit from Dr. Beige’s scholarly experience! Nevertheless, naturally, we would also have a chocolate cake together as well!

What’s the most fun part about writing books? Is it making up the adventures or adding all the little details?

To me, the most fun part about writing books is living in my own stories! I love making up the adventures of (or for) my literary characters and, while devising the plot, I also realise that the literary adventures are absolutely true – they have always been there, in my heart and, in a way, I’m constantly living through them! What a beautiful way to share them with the readers! Also, what fascinates me about writing is that my characters are guiding me, and I readily offer them the freedom they need in order to lead me wherever their hearts desire. For instance, the ending of the second book dedicated to Bunky, Bunky and the Summer Wish, was slightly altered by… Bunky himself! While writing (and having it all supposedly planned in advance), an unexpected thought suddenly struck me – Bunky would like to have it in a different way! A change in the plot came spontaneously, and I am grateful for it, as it enhanced the story and offered an even more bunkificent and satisfying ending to Bunky’s second novel!

Did you ever think Bunky would have such a big fan club? How does that feel?

While writing my first novel, Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story, published in October 2021, I was hoping that Bunky could become a literary friend of those readers who searched for the world of goodness, nobility, and peace. Looking back at this year from the present-day perspective, it is all a beautiful miracle: I am deeply moved while thinking that our Bunky offers so much joy and comfort to many readers around the world who are looking for more stability and warmth in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty. While waiting for the publication of my first novel, I took a thread and a needle and sewed Bunky, his friends, and their clothes. It allowed me to introduce Bunky into our reality as well, creating a tangible link between the readers and my literary characters, with whom they could interact also in our world. I believe that Bunky is our mainstay of peace and safety. He represents the idea of stability, emotional security, and safety, and the feeling of true, loving home that each and every person in the world longs for. Bunky’s traits are quite relatable – he feels nervous and insecure at times, sometimes complains about getting up early or secretly eats cookies in bed before sleep – and I believe that these characteristics brought Bunky especially close to my readers. When I started writing, I didn’t have any substantial knowledge about the world of authors and readers – yet, all I hoped for was bringing Bunky into this reality and sharing his stories. I was surprised, delighted, and deeply grateful to have discovered Bunky’s fans, and they are my friends, fellow authors, and readers. I cherish each connection and feel beyond happy that Bunky can be there for all of us! I also started my social media for Bunky. Currently, platform X has over 23,000 fans of Bunky, and I hope to bring more goodness, bunkificence, and reassurance to each and every person with whom I am honoured to share Bunky’s stories during my literary and personal journey.

Can you tell us about a special moment when someone told you how much they loved your stories?

Absolutely! I remember each and every moment like this, as they became the most precious landmarks on my literary and personal journey. Such moments are invaluable, and I keep them as my greatest treasures. They make me feel that writing Bunky’s story is my life mission. I believe that each of my readers is my friend. Therefore, I remember one of Bunky’s friends sharing with me that Bunky’s world allowed him to find a peaceful and safe place and took away difficult memories lingering in his past. There are also the youngest readers stating that Bunky is their best friend. Whenever I feel tired or whenever my heart is heavy, I keep remembering the friends with whom I am privileged to share my literary world – and I keep on writing!

How do you come up with all the bunkyful stuff Bunky does? Do you ever try it out first?

That’s a little secret of mine, and you are perfectly right – in truth, I am very similar to Bunky, and I’ve tried many bunkyful things that Bunky does in the novels! If you read Bunky’s story, you know me as well! For instance, Bunky loves shovelling the pavements around his house in winter, and I cannot think of a better winter activity either! The moment when Bunky reads in bed while secretly eating a cookie sounds familiar to me too! Moreover, Bunky uses his imagination in every aspect of his life, and I strive to do the same, regardless of my age and the passing time. I believe that imagination – combined with the power of intentions and words – is our greatest secret to inner happiness, and Bunky knows it too! I believe that thinking in a childlike way and applying such reasoning in daily life allows one to create a countless number of bunkyful things and possibilities! I remember overhearing a conversation between a child and her mum. “Mum,” said the child, “will we take a ride in this car?” “We’ve just done it,” responded Mum. “Yes, but our car was green, and this one is red!” responded the child. This is the secret to childlike thinking. Bunky is also very genuine in the ways in which he thinks and acts. He is the one wrapping up the alarm clock in bedsheets so that it can rest more while he is getting ready for school, and he is the one talking to his little spruce – so that Mr. Spruce would grow into a healthy and happy tree.

What do you think Bunky would say is his favorite adventure so far?

What a wonderful question! I believe that Bunky would find it slightly difficult to answer it though – he loves each and every adventure! There were moments that definitely will stay in his heart forever. While thinking about Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story, I recall one Christmas evening on which he befriended and adopted the little Wolf Plum, who became his dear friend. Then, I’m thinking about Bunky’s famous encounter with Rudolph the Reindeer that initiated all the incredible, bunkificent adventures! I cannot forget about the day of cousin Rodney’s arrival to the Walms’ house – Bunky was overjoyed at welcoming him during Christmas! The night on which Bunky, Rodney, and Plum encountered Santa Claus and visited the charming Faroe Islands is such an important event during Bunky’s journey as the Hero.

While thinking about Bunky and the Summer Wish, I instantly see Bunky’s return to the beloved Faroe Islands and, naturally, the moment when he is at school, preparing to write the Golden Decimal Mathematical Contest. The encounter with the Northern Star in Santa Claus’s land is unquestionably one of the most beautiful, touching, and profoundly transforming experiences of Bunky’s life appearing in the second volume.

While thinking about the question again, I cannot help but decide upon one unforgettable moment: Bunky’s encounter with the Bunky Princess in the first novel. I believe that this event had a tremendous impact on Bunky’s journey and, as his heart tells me, it was and always will be his most beloved and favourite adventure of all – the adventure that will last for a lifetime and beyond!

If kids wanted to write their own stories, what’s the one bunkyful tip you’d give them to get started?

I believe that a very bunkyful tip would be to allow children to stay true to themselves and remain genuine – like Bunky the writer. It is vital not to give up one’s true imagination and not to give in to any expectations that might take away from the beauty of one’s heart, nobility, or creative potential. Children are amazing storytellers if only they are allowed to thrive in their own ways while telling and writing each story with their own imagination and their own unique voices. Later on, sometimes, society and the world are “moulding them” into the “expected” versions of themselves. Let’s allow them to be unexpected, creative, straightforward, honest, and beautiful in their writing, just like Bunky is! My tip would be to write stories genuinely resonating in their hearts – just in the way they feel it, without external corrections. They will always find the readers who will understand them, share their perspectives, and delight in their works. And, of course, the whole process of writing will be enhanced by a chocolate cookie!

What do you hope kids and families remember most about Bunky and his adventures after they read your books?

I hope that children and families will remember after reading my books that the most beautiful aspect of living is becoming the Hero of One’s Own Life – just as Bunky does in his story! That’s the greatest adventure of all. Initially, in Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story (2021), Bunky becomes the Christmas Hero. Then, in Bunky and the Summer Wish (2024), the challenge is even greater – Bunky is called upon to become the Hero of his Own Life in a beautiful, challenging, and memorable way. I also hope that children and their families will remember from my novels that there is a profound value in staying true to oneself and believing in one’s dreams with all the nobility, kindness, and bravery one’s heart can hold.

If Bunky could plan the perfect snow (or sand) day, what would it look like? And would you join in, or just write about it?

I would definitely join Bunky right away! Actually, Bunky and I are having many perfect snow days together now – I take my Bunky sledging in winter! If I could dive into the novel, I would definitely find myself in the company of Bunky, Rodney, and Plum on the day of their encounter with Rudolph the Reindeer. They were sledging down the hill the entire morning! Afterwards, we would return to the Walms’ house, and Mrs. Walm would offer us some hot chocolate! And then, we would all sit around the fireplace in Bunky’s living room and gaze at the portraits of the Walms’ ancestors, while Mr. Walm and Sir Williams would tell us Christmas stories!

I can imagine a perfect sand day too! I’m thinking about Bunky and the Summer Wish and Bunky’s day at the beach – in the heart of the North Pole! We would be reading books, looking for Bunkycorns hiding behind the rocks, and dancing happily in the North Pole sun while wearing bunkificent woollen sweaters!

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