The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander

The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander
Buy The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Linda Lawlor
Summary: A gentle adventure in the snow. The villain is so swiftly chased away that little ones will barely have time to worry, and parents will find them watching the weather from November onwards in the hope of being able to build their very own snowbear.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: October 2017
Publisher: words & pictures
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 9781910277393
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There's a sense of wonder and stillness about fresh-fallen snow, whatever your age. Sounds are muffled, familiar objects and places are transformed, and the possibility of magic hangs in the frosty air. And for Iggy and Martina, playing outside on just such a winter's day, reality swiftly turns into enchantment.

They start to build a snowman, although to be honest he looks more like a bear. Still, as Martina points out, he looks happy to be made, so that's okay. Unfortunately the two siblings grow careless about the warning their mother gave them, and they find themselves in the woods, lost and under threat, and unable to get back up the steep and slippery hill to safety. It's just as well they made that big strong snowbear, and the adventure ends, as all good adventures do, back in the safety and comfort of home. And next morning, there's one last mystery to puzzle over . . .

A good, heavy fall of snow covers up lots of things, and so the world in winter can feel wider and more spacious than at any other time of year. The illustrations in this charming book emphasis that by keeping the details sparse and unfussy, with a palette of muted colours. Soft blues and greens work with the white of the snow to underline the cold without making it seem harsh, and the minimal, three-dots-and-a-curve style of the faces somehow manages to express all manner of emotions without detracting from the simplicity. The story itself stresses the fun to be had on a snowy day, even if you do slip and slide and fall over, and the cautionary element about always listening carefully to what mum tells you is made without undue emphasis. The general atmosphere of warmth and reassurance in the story make it ideal for bedtime, and it's a book that will be requested time and time again as little ones snuggle down to sleep.

Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise is another of Sean Taylor's books which was very popular with Bookbag – guaranteed to make children and adults alike hoot with laughter. Then you could try I am Actually a Penguin which tells the story of a little girl who loves dressing up (but maybe a bit too much) and Robot Rumpus which is guaranteed to give little ones the giggles (although it's more likely to give their parents nightmares!).

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You can read more book reviews or buy The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander at Amazon.com.

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