Review: Bear And Bird: The Stars And Other Stories


Bear and Bird are best friends and that is all you really need to know because the rest of this book and its counterpart, The Picnic and Other Stories, also by the uber talented, Jarvis, is simply a wonderful venture into the relationship between these two.

Like the friendship of many small children, Bear and Bird’s is one of unrestrained candour and genuine purity of spirit. They share, care and yes, argue; sometimes over the most inane things, like a spoon. In this collection of four short and super sweet stories, the spoon causes a quaking rift between the two companions prompting Bear to write a letter looking for a new friend. Extreme reactions indeed, that result in a new connection with another lost soul also seeking a new confidant. Ironically, both end up anonymously describing all the wonderful things they cherish and have in common with the other, because of course, unbeknownst to themselves, they have been writing to each.

This and the other stories about stars and cake and obedience are gorgeous exposes of moments in time shared between Bear and Bird which whilst cute and humorous also imbue some big emotions. Patience, anger, jealously, guilt, gluttony, regret are among some of the feelings incorporated into these very relatable storylines. Even if riding on the back of tortoise across the ocean waves believing it’s a rock that likes to roam isn’t quite your everyday school yard occurrence, the literal blind faith Bird adopts when out shopping with Bear one day is a reaction common in young children.

The accompanying colour-filled artwork of Jarvis which features, softly textured painted imagery outlined in bold crayon ensures these tales are brimming with poignant charm, wit and a heart song about friendship that is pure and powerful. Highly recommended for newly independent readers and lovers of illustrated fiction.

Title:  Bear And Bird: The Stars And Other Stories
Author Illustrator:  Jarvis
Publisher:  Walker Books Australia, $24.99
Publication Date:  4 October 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781529504903
For ages:  5 – 7
Type:  Junior Fiction

Buy the Book: Walker Books, Boomerang Books

 

 

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