This is the second book in the ‘Bear and Bird’ stories, the first being The Picnic and Other stories.
Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories includes four stories that have Bear and Bird finding themselves mixed up in funny situations. In one story Bear finds a cake. He can’t help himself so gobbles it all up. Then he realises someone must have made it as a surprise for someone else to eat. So he goes about making another. But he’s never made a cake. What if it was for Cat? He better put fish in it.
These hardcover short chapter books are great for those at the beginning of their learning to read journey. The stories are full of the warmth of friendship and the joy of silly adventures. With colourful illustrations that are so easy and fun to read they make great bedtime stories too.
Reviewed by Rowena Morcom
Age Guide 5+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHORJarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as both a record sleeve designer and an animation director before becoming a children’s book illustrator. Alan’s Big Scary Teeth is his debut title with Walker Books.
About his picture book inspiration, Jarvis says, “The way I work is always visual. I will have an image or character in mind and I pull a story out of it. I doodle and doodle and doodle until I get it right.” Jarvis lives in Manchester with his girlfriend and their cat.
ABOUT BEAR AND BIRD: THE PICNIC AND OTHER STORIES
Bear and Bird are best friends, and they spend a lot of time together. They don’t always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is for their friend to be happy. So when Bear forgets the most important thing to pack for a picnic (but pretends that he didn’t), Bird doesn’t let on that she knew all along. And when Bird is upset to discover her friend has more of a certain talent than she does, Bear finds a touching way to make her feel better.
Whether it’s the tale of a missing Bird and a “talking” flower that has Bear bewildered or that of a blanket whose irresistible coziness inspires a comic misunderstanding, Jarvis’s well-honed timing combines with gentle humor and genuine affection that will have readers eager for more.
