Iris and Isaac

‘Iris and Isaac are NOT FRIENDS.’ Of course they aren’t. After all, what proper polar bear could be happy when her used-to-be-best-friend has spoiled her lovely snow nest? So Iris and Isaac go their separate ways in a dual huff. It doesn’t take long, however, before each of them realises that all the splendid sights they are seeing would be so much nicer if they had a friend to share them with. So all is forgiven and they make another snow nest, this time together. It is the illustrations that make this book extra special – with their milky, snowy colours that swim and dance and Rayner’s expressive line that clearly convey the animals’ emotions. This is the kind of enchantment beloved of children and adults alike. The tale has a moral, but its beauty makes the pill of friendship-fallout easy to take. Another champion production from last year’s CILIP Kate Greenaway award winner.