Willa and the Bear
Philomena O’Neill
Sterling
Made by her Grandma Bibbie, Willa’s rag doll Rosie is her constant companion until one winter’s day as Willa and her parents are on their way to Grandma’s birthday celebration, the doll falls from the sleigh and is lost in the dark snowy woods.
They stop and search but have no luck; little do they know that the doll has been found.
When they reach their destination, her gran gives Willa a little bear that she’s made. Later, Willa spies a real and very large bear through the cabin window …
but when they open the door all they find on the doorstep is Rosie. “That bear must be a friend of yours,” her gran tells Willa.
On the way back home Willa leaves her new toy bear in the snow with the words, “My friend will love you,” …
Despite its chilly setting this is a warm-hearted, albeit rather unlikely story of reciprocal giving and receiving; and the old-fashioned, cosy paintings have a Nordic feel.
Where Bear?
Sophy Henn
Puffin Books
The fabulous Sophy Henn’s first picture book is now out in board book format and is just right for small hands.
It’s a heart-warming tale that stars a bear and a boy who have shared the boy’s abode since the bear was a cub and the boy considerably smaller.
Bear has now grown too large for the house and the boy, eager to find his friend a suitable new residence, sets out with him.
“But where bear?” he asks over and over, until finally they find a suitable location and the boy heads back to his home.
Both bear and boy are happy, particularly as their friendship can be continued, verbally at least.
With such superb characterisation it’s a delight through and through.
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