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The Dancing Bear

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BfK No. 88 - September 1994

Cover Story
This month our cover features The Wheel of Surya (see Authorgraph for details), with artwork by Caroline Binch. The paperback of Jamila Gavin’s book was published by Mammoth in July 1994 and we’re most grateful to them for their help in using this illustration.

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The Dancing Bear

Michael Morpurgo
 Christian Birmingham
(HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks)
978-0006745112, RRP £4.99, Paperback
8-10 Junior/Middle
Buy "The Dancing Bear (Young Lion Storybooks)" on Amazon

7-year-old Roxanne, who lives alone with her 'dour and unloving' grandfather, where life is ruled by the mountains, sheep, snow and drought, finds and adopts Bruno the bear cub. Initial opposition is calmed by the unique relationship bear and child develop. Then media interest and the outside world intervenes: Bruno is to become a performing, dancing bear and Roxanne a singing star. It's a very moving tale told in the first person, which gives it still more credibility and pathos. The complexity of issues surrounding 'animals in captivity' is underlined by the simple reporting narrative. A memorable read.

Reviewer: 
Gill Roberts
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