Age 2-7

This tale of a lost bear in a wintry city does what the best picturebooks do: it tells the story through the pictures as much as in the words. The text reveals that Addis Berner Bear has forgotten why he came to the city, but from the pictures we warm to the big, brown, expressive creature, discover the sights that make him happy and sad, learn that he finds friends among the homeless, and that a child speaks to him. We also find what the “terrible thing” is that happens to him, as well as how it is resolved, who the villains of the story are, and how they get their comeuppance.

Each illustration creates a little scene, with depth and a sense of place, and the draughtsmanship is reminiscent of Ardizzone. Characters (and pigeons) recur, rewarding observant prereaders. And the pictures show that the bear carries a trumpet, giving us a clue why he did come to the city. Although the narrative is succinct, the book celebrates music (jazz, presumably) and kindness, and suggests that being an outsider, or confused, does not make people – or bears, for that matter – unworthy of attention.

ADDIS BERNER BEAR FORGETS by Joel Stewart
(Doubleday £10.99)

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