Softie is a bear. She has lived in the library of bears for as long as she can remember. The library is full of bears and is looked after by a librarian. All the bears have been borrowed except for Softie.
Every day she ‘finds a good position on the shelf’ and waits to be picked. At the end of each day the bears share their tales of being borrowed. But Softie never has a story to tell. Her best friend is borrowed often and tells her each time is different, an adventure. Softie waits hoping that she will be lucky enough to be picked.
One day a pair of grey paws ‘gently lifts her off the shelf’. Softie’s library card is stamped with the borrower’s name, K.B. Off she goes in K.B.’s backpack. She is so excited. But this is not what she expected’. Just as she thinks she’s not cut out to be borrowed, K.B. snuggles into her and tells her all about the things her room. In return Softie tells her all about the library. What follows is the adventure of a lifetime. What a story Softie will have when she gets back to the library.
The wonderful settings that make the images in this book have been created by the author who is a textile artist and designer. The way she has the little bears sitting, dressing, listening has their different personalities shining, You can’t help but be drawn into their world.
This story tugged hard on my heartstrings. It made me want to head to the local bear library and borrow one for an adventure together. Beautifully done.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 3+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cat Rabbit is a textile artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. Using felt, recycled and vintage fabrics, Cat hand stitches plush sculptural works of her imagined characters and the worlds they might live in.
Her work translates to many formats – from children’s books to large scale felt installations to magazine editorials – always with the aim of bringing softness and warmth to the viewer.
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