Review - The Rug Bear

The Rug Bear
by Emma Rattray
illustrated by Michael Terry
Date: 2019
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd.
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 31
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Bear is playing hide and seek in the forest with his good friends, Lion and Fox. But a day of games has made him very tired indeed and, in the shadow of a tall tree, Bear falls into a very deep sleep.

A mouse, a hare, a squirrel and a ladybug all mistake Bear for a nice, cosy rug. His fur is so soft and furry and snug. It’s so tempting and they all settle down for a rest, but get quite a surprise when Bear wakes up!

Charmingly illustrated, The Rug Bear is a fun rhyming story which will be enjoyed by readers aged 0-5 years.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

A bear ran fast over
the woodland ground,
playing hide and seek,
he didn't want to be found.

'If I hide here,
Lion and Fox won't find me!' said Bear.
'I'll hide in the shadow of this tall tree.'

This book has a simple premise and passable illustrations, but the writing lets it down. It's in rhyming verse... I think. There are some bits of text shoved in there that don't rhyme and have no rhythm. It's confusing and jarring. There are also a couple of instances of characters doing weird things with their speech like laughing it (okay... maybe) and shivering it (not physically possible).

Basically, this is a story about a bear who takes a nap in the woods and gets mistaken for a rug... and a nice place to take a nap. I'm not sure why all these woodland creatures need to nap so badly. Maybe there's something in the water...

Children might enjoy this one more than this adult reader did. But they're going to have to find someone willing to stumble over the clumsy text to read it to them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd. for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 2/5
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.29 out of 5