Deborah Abela (text) and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (illustrator), Bear in Space, Walker Books, August 2020, 32 pp., RRP $25.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760651510
Little introverts will adore this story about Bear who dreams of flying into space and collects astronomical facts. His favourite? Space is always quiet.
Bear endures laughter and name-calling from his pre-school classmates. Undeterred, he makes a rocket and straps himself in for take-off. Space is a blissful place where he can read, make plans for rocket improvement and drink hot chocolate. No one laughs at him or calls him names. But it is a little lonely.
Then through a window Bear discovers Panda in a spaceship of her own and he invites her into his ship. The pair bond over space talk and hot chocolate.
Back on earth, Bear’s classmates are suddenly excited for a piece of the space action.
This book will generate discussion about what makes people different. It’s also about showing tolerance and initiating friendship.
The digital illustrations are delightful, featuring a cast of pre-school bears and childlike drawings of space.
Highly recommended for ages 3-plus.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
