Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Minnow and the Bear by Ben Blathwayt (Children's, Picture Book, 10E/10E)


September 2011, Hutchinson,
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: cavemen, harsh life of hunting, moderate peril, living side by side with nature, desire for adventure, surviving the elements, recognition of skill, lots of tension, a tissue needed
Minnow the cave boy longs to be big enough to go hunting. When he is swept away by the river, he loves learning to fend for himself. He even finds a friend far from home - a little bear.
 
Together Minnow and the bear grow big and strong, but winter forces them to make the difficult journey home. Will their new experience be enough to keep them safe?

Nayuleska's thoughts
I was gripped by the companionship Minnow gained from the bear, how cute they looked when they slept and the fear when life chucked obstacles at them. I can't stress enough how detailed all the illustrations are, they are the type which kept me occupied for over 20 minutes at a time when I was little.

Suggested read
For another book on friends check out Quick, Slow, Mango! by Anik McGrory

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