Mr Bear and the Bear

Another variation on the theme of the tender hearted misanthropist, this book tells the tale of a grim, ursine recluse whose warmer feelings are aroused when he wanders into a town fair and sees the cruelty inflicted on a dancing bear. The development of the relationship between two creatures exiled from their own kind is told in direct, unsentimental language, while Brown's rich and autumnally colourful double page paintings gently suggest the thawing of blood and the growth of trust. I would imagine that most animal loving children of all ages will love this story. They may be further impressed by the fact that part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Libearty, a world campaign for the welfare of bears.