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rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
4.0
This isn’t my usual type of picture book - but I enjoyed reading this one.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
'Once upon a Time there was an Itch,' so the story begins. And from that Itch comes a bear and from that bear a series of difficult, transcendental questions: Are you me? Am I nice? What happens to the world when I am not looking? In search for the answers of these questions, much like [b:The Phantom Tollbooth|378|The Phantom Tollbooth|Norton Juster|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558858485l/378._SX50_.jpg|1782584] and [b:Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass|24213|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass|Lewis Carroll|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327872220l/24213._SY75_.jpg|2375385], Bear, in his trip through the fabulous forest, encounters a series of characters who offer their wisdom in a variety of guises (with Turtle Taxi being my favourite).
Unlike Alice and Milo though, Bear's character is a little closer to that of A.A. Milne's creation [b:Winnie-the-Pooh|99107|Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)|A.A. Milne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298440130l/99107._SY75_.jpg|1225592]; the world is big to him and he's rather innocent and powerless within it. His kind nature and childish inquisitiveness carry him through though.
Whilst on the wordy side of the picture book and possibly closer to an illustrated text, Lavie's first translated book remains a gem. There are no clear answers here only questions and invitations here: ideas that will prick the young reader's mind and roll around in there for a long time.
Meanwhile, in the hands of the enviably talented Erlbruch, we have a large rather puzzled looking bear wandering through thick, beautifully printed forests. I loved the ambiguousness of this book but can imagine that with no clarity here it will aggravate some adult readers.
Unlike Alice and Milo though, Bear's character is a little closer to that of A.A. Milne's creation [b:Winnie-the-Pooh|99107|Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)|A.A. Milne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298440130l/99107._SY75_.jpg|1225592]; the world is big to him and he's rather innocent and powerless within it. His kind nature and childish inquisitiveness carry him through though.
Whilst on the wordy side of the picture book and possibly closer to an illustrated text, Lavie's first translated book remains a gem. There are no clear answers here only questions and invitations here: ideas that will prick the young reader's mind and roll around in there for a long time.
Meanwhile, in the hands of the enviably talented Erlbruch, we have a large rather puzzled looking bear wandering through thick, beautifully printed forests. I loved the ambiguousness of this book but can imagine that with no clarity here it will aggravate some adult readers.
natalieshinobu's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
raoionna's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely retro images with slightly clunky text about happiness and existence as shown through the travels of bear who wasn’t there.
kerrireads32's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful, amazing book! It looks like a children's book but I'd recommend it to many of my adult friends. An itch turning into a bear finding itself in the fabulous forest... well, it's fabulous.
marionhelene's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
abdullahi's review
5.0
Has easily became one of my favourite books. Such a beautiful story and wonderful characters. Definitely, I am going to read it again. At least once in while.
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