Bertie and the Bear

This tale of a frightened boy being hotly pursued by a ferocious bear is a rowdy celebration of the chase. The various noises of a growing army of would-be rescuers are expressed visually in shape and colour: 'Blah' blasts forth in vivid red from the King's trumpet and 'Ooh' plops heavily in purple from the Captain's horn, while the General's flute exudes an elongated yellow 'Toot, Toot'. So delighted is the bear that he finally leads the whole host in a merry dancing procession. Great fun for apprentice readers and listening audiences who delighted in participating in this vigorous romp. Certainly in my experience one of the most read and best enjoyed picture books of the eighties.