Review - Bevan: A Well-Loved Bear

Bevan: A Well-Loved Bear
by Petra Brown
Date: 2021
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Over many years a teddy bear named Bevan enters the lives of different boys and girls, and after countless adventures, Bevan is old and patchy, but still loved.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Bevan is a very old teddy bear. He once belonged to some children a long time ago. When they grew up, their nanny gave Bevan to her grandchild... and so began the journey of a teddy bear from Victorian times to the present day.

The strength of this book lies in its illustrations. The story is simple, and perhaps lacks some of the emotion that other books in this vein might have. But it's still sweet, and Bevan is a sympathetic character. I did enjoy watching the progression of time and seeing all of Bevan's various "lives" as he brings joy to a number of children.

This book reminded me of Henry Cole's One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey with its multigenerational passing-on of a beloved object. It also reminded me a bit of Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (which is longer and more on the emotional side). If you enjoy books such as these, you might also like the story of Bevan the bear.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Grandma's Christmas Wish

Grandma's Christmas Wish
by Helen Foster James
illustrated by Petra Brown
Date: 2015
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

There is nothing like a grandmother's love. This sweet story celebrates the special bond between grandma and grandchild at Christmas time. With a bedtime-friendly singsong rhythm and adorable holiday illustrations, this books is sure to charm children and grandmothers alike!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a sweet little rhyming picture book featuring a grandma and her grandchild preparing for Christmas. The rhyming text is lovely, albeit simple, and the sentiments highlighted by the adorable illustrations are heartwarming.

This is likely intended to be given as a gift from a grandmother to her grandchild, as there are a couple of pages at the back where there's room for Grandma to write a letter to the kids, as well as a spot for a photo.

This would make a lovely Christmas gift. But even if it wouldn't work as such for your family, I'd still recommend checking this one out for the precious illustrations.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - A Horse Named Jack

A Horse Named Jack
by Linda Vander Heyden
illustrated by Petra Brown
Date: 2018
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Jack is a rather silly horse. And when bored, he takes it upon himself to unlatch his stall and go for an adventure through the farm before escaping into the neighbor's garden for a snack. This rhyming story counts up to ten as Jack makes his way across the farm and then back down as he races home with the neighbor hot on his heels.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is actually one of the cutest counting books I've seen, with a great rhyming text and adorable illustrations.

One day when the children don't come to see Jack, he gets bored... so he lifts the latch on his gate and goes out to have some fun on his own. At this point, the counting begins as Jack gets into all sorts of mischief. Eventually, he encounters a neighbour who's not so pleased to find a horse in her garden eating her carrots. She chases him and he runs, encountering many obstacles on his way back to the barn, counting backwards this time from ten to one. And what does he find when he gets home? You'll have to read the book to find out.

The illustrations are lovely, soft-looking, and perfectly capture the personality of the mischievous horse without looking too unrealistic.

This book was a pleasant surprise. It's not easy to put a new spin on a counting book (judging by some of the more basic versions I've read). A Horse Named Jack manages to tell a story as well as teach numbers from one to ten... forwards and backwards!

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.43 out of 5