THIS BOOK IS FOR US
illustrated by Anne Wouters
In an appealing 7-inch-square wordless book from Belgium, a large white bear comforts a small brown one as the dark—benignly represented as an area of mild blue—gradually encroaches. Failing to push it back, the two bears cuddle up together; then the small one spies a twinkle of light, which they happily enlarge into a glowing moon. Like Lena Anderson's Bunny books, the story's charm derives from the warmth and simplicity with which the subtleties of childlike feelings are depicted; Wouter's rough pencil lines, deftly sketched forms, and spare color are deployed with unusual skill. In a companion story, This Book Is Too Small, the larger bear is saved by his smaller friend from the green square he is outgrowing. A winsome pair of bears—and books. (Picture book. 1-6)