Bear and Bird

Bird and Bear are best friends. Together, they share simple adventures, celebrating the small things of life and the true meaning of friendship in the four stories in this book.

Like Bear’s blanket, these stories are so soft and warm that they are perfect for cuddling up and smooshing with. These two dear friends have the occasional misunderstanding and mishap, but they are happiest making each other happy. Each story is told with plenty of gentle humour and accompanied by the most adorable illustrations.

However, each story also offers the opportunity for starting discussions about being a good friend. When Bird and Bear spend an afternoon painting, Bird is upset by Bear’s success, feeling her painting is no good. Bear responds to with empathy and understanding, offering encouragement and support. In the second story, Bear’s failure to properly prepare for the picnic leads to him telling lies to Bird to cover up. It could easily be argued that this is not the right thing to do- and yet Bear does this because he prefers to make Bird happy. At the same time, Bird is making Bear happy by not letting on that she knows he has forgotten all the picnic things. Is is right to lie in this situation..? The stories would be perfect for sharing with a class, as a bedtime story or for newly independent readers.

Children are sure to be inspired to draw Bear and Bird- and perhaps create their own little books of stories about simple adventures of friendship. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next!

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories

Jarvis

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529504897

The Boy with Flowers in his Hair

David is the boy with flowers in his hair. Everybody likes him because he is kind and gentle, but one day, when his friend was watering David’s flowers, one of his petals came off and David becomes quiet and loses interest in playing. Most of the children in the class stay away in case his now twiggy hair scratches them, but his best friend stays close by him. He gives David his colour back by making paper flowers and soon everyone is joining in, helping David feel happy again. Gradually, his own flowers bloom once more, but his best friend makes sure he keeps lots of paper ones just in case David ever needs them again.

Delightfully warm and comforting, ‘The Boy with Flowers in his Hair’ is a wonderful story. The illustrations are simply beautiful and the children instantly commented on how much white space there was on each page, allowing them to really focus on the characters- and to appreciate David’s hair. A whole range of emotions are conveyed through the pictures as the reader sees the warmth of the boys’ friendship and the joy of the class before David’s misery and his friend’s concern. The final image of the boys sitting together speaks volumes and is my favourite.

The reason for David losing his flowers is never made clear, allowing plenty of scope for discussion and developing empathetic responses. The power of friendship and understanding is key in making David feel like himself again and one child’s act of kindness is soon supported by the rest of the class. The story lends itself perfectly to conservations about our perceptions of others, inclusion, how we cope with feelings and what we can do to support others in times of need.

The book offers the perfect stimulus not only for discussion, but for children to create their own flower hair for David or a character of their own. Printing, painting and collage using a mixture of fabrics and different types of paper would produce some wonderful pictures.

‘The Boy with Flowers in his Hair’ is a poignant, heart-warming read, celebrating the power of true friendship.

The Boy with Flowers in his Hair Jarvis

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406392517