Bear's Adventure

After my interaction with this glorious picturebook, I looked for more of Brian Wildsmith. And why I  look for more when I take a bite of something so savory, is because I might just find an old friend I didn't recognize. Two of his many books, Cat on the Mat and Squirrels are in my collection. I share them on the Autumn book shelf, and even use my multiple copies of Cat on the Mat for emergent readers during their guided reading groups. So back to Bear's Adventure...The  illustrations are stunning. Each page is like a painting or a one of a kind greeting card, sharing beautiful animals, prints, textures, and colors. I have read other fictional tales about bears ending up in the city and confusing man made purposes from the natural world, but I haven't before this book, watched a bear be mistaken for a man in a costume after falling asleep in a hot hair balloon and ending up in a parade. Nor have I seen an urban environment displayed with such colorful and gentle texture and delicate care. This picturebook has adventure, humor, and reminds us that even a moment spent among chaos, has perfection. Bear just goes along with every unraveling mishap, seeming to be led a step closer to where he is suppose to be- no matter what direction he takes to get there.