Bear and Duck

Katy Hudson

HarperCollins, 2015

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9780062320513

 

Life for Bear is not easy.  Even though he is big and furry, sleeps all winter and gets to eat lots of honey, he’s over it.  He was bored with sleeping all winter, hated having to wear a hot furry coat in summer and sick of the angry bees who stung him as he tried to take their honey.  He needed a change.  So he decided to become a duck.  And he tried really hard, especially after Mother Duck gave him the rule book that he had to follow.  Even when things didn’t quite work out the way they were supposed to. 

This is a story that will resonate with all young readers who have ever wished they could be something or someone else.  Through its words and gentle watercolour-and-ink pictures, gently laced with humour, and endearing characters, it shows that we each have our own talents and gifts and that these are unique to who we are.  And even if we think that being something else is a good idea, sometimes it’s just best to be ourselves because being ourselves is enough.

This is the debut picture book from this author/illustrator that could start discussions about accepting ourselves for who we are as well as accepting others for who they are – the ingredients necessary for being a good friend.