The Bear who had Nothing to Wear
Jeanne Willis and Brian Fitzgerald
Scallywag Press

Told in jaunty rhyme, this is a cautionary tale of sorts about Albie bear and his search for identity. Albie bursts onto the scene clad in nothing but fur but what kind of bear is this? Time to choose some clothing to suit his personality.

Having spent Monday dressed in bonnet, bootees and onesie, he tosses them aside crossly declaring, ‘That’s not who I am! Today I’m a prince so I need a gold crown.’ However, by the end of the next day, the princely outfit has been cast aside with a scream of disgust and out comes a wand, wings and a dress fit to go to a ball. The only thing is no invitation is forthcoming.

So it goes on throughout the entire week by which time Bear’s consumerism must have cost him a considerable amount – cowboy gear, piratical attire, country clothes – 

but has he found out anything about his true self? Happily so and in addition he makes sure that all his discarded items don’t go to waste.

Jeanne Willis’s text is huge fun to read aloud and Brian Fitzgerald’s entertaining scenes of Albie’s ever changing gear and his various fashion fiascos in his search for his true self are sure to appeal to young listeners. I suspect this will become a story time favourite.